Thomas Richard Bundren, 89, of Chilhowee, Missouri joined his heavenly Father on April 16th, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. Richard was born December 10, 1921 to Lynn Tuttle and Margaret Milam (Lewis) Bundren in Fendon, Montana in a log cabin his father had built. Richard and his family remained there until he was three years of age when they moved to Harlowton, Montana. Eventually they ended up back in Missouri and settled in Kansas City. Later he served in World War II with the United States Army 51st Combat Engineers in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. After returning home from the war in January of 1946, Richard joined the 110th Engineers and served six years in the Missouri National Guard. He worked twenty-nine years at Standard Oil Company of Sugar Creek, Missouri. He was a longtime member of the Chilhowee Baptist Church. Richard met Lucille Fenson at a church function, and they were later married September 8, 1951. From this union came three children: Dennis Bundren and wife, Gail of Grain Valley, Missouri; Debbie Wilson and husband, Ernie of Chilhowee; and Leah Daugherty and husband, Donald of Holden, Missouri. Grandchildren: Scott Thomas Bundren and wife, Nikki, of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Allison and Ashley Bundren of Grain Valley; Barry Wilson of Bollingbrook, Illinois; Jennifer (Daugherty) Robison and husband, Randy of Polo, Missouri; Michael Daugherty and wife, Lynette of Warrensburg, Missouri; and Laurie Daugherty of Holden. Great grandchildren: Samuel and Reid Bundren of Lee's Summit; Jared and Ryan Robison of Polo; and Peyton and Madison Daugherty of Warrensburg. Richard was preceded in death by Lucille, his wife of 53 years, his parents, two sisters and their spouses: Lurene Richardson, George "Bus" Richardson; and Lucille Lankford and Johnnie Lankford. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the Chilhowee Baptist Church with Pastor Matt Goodsell officiating. Internment will follow in the Chilhowee Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.
Published in Kansas City Star on April 18, 2011