Steve Alan Lunsford of Dutch Creek, Arkansas, born July 12, 1965 in Olton, Texas went to his heavenly reward while golfing at Chamberlyne Country Club on November 1, 2024. He was 59 years and 3 months of age. He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Melissa (Vaughn) Lunsford; one child, Brandon and wife, Mary, with one grandchild, Fay Jordan Lunsford, of San Antonio, Texas; mother, Jean Lunsford of Russellville, Arkansas; one brother, Randy and wife, Jeri, Lunsford, of Amarillo, Texas. He was proceeded in death by his father, CB Lunsford; grandparents, Boyd and Bertha Lunsford and Bill and Vera Mae Billingsley.
He was an active member of the Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church, serving as Adult Sunday School Teacher for several years, and Deacon. He was a Christian and practiced his faith daily. Despite having endured emotional and physical abuse at an early age, Steve broke the cycle. He overcame, becoming a strong man, loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Steve loved sports, competition, and challenge — golfing, scuba diving, sky diving, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, running, snow skiing, water skiing, and martial arts. He and Melissa were taking dancing lessons in order to dance the Waltz in a New York ballroom in December.
LTC Steve Lunsford was proud of his military career and honored to serve his country for 33 years. His military career consisted of Commander of the Wounded Warrior Program at Camp Robinson, Commander of Reserve Unit at Fort Leavenworth, Training Commander in Africa and Germany, search and rescue for Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and instructor for Officer Candidate School (OCS). He also served in the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia, as well as several deployments around the USA.
He also retired after 31 years from United Parcel Service. After retiring from both UPS and the military, Steve became a school bus driver and substitute teacher.
God blessed Steve and Melissa, allowing them to travel to Rome, Italy, England, Scotland, and Mexico; to scuba diving in the Florida Keys, Dominican Republic, Cauracao, Purto Vallarta with his brother Randy. They also took numerous Vaughn family trips throughout the US.
Steve had a great work ethic, doing everything full force, no reservations. He was the support of his family, helped any one in need, and gave generously to others in multiple ways.
Steve’s ultimate joy was being “Papa” to his granddaughter, Fay Jordan Lunsford. He took every opportunity to play with Fay — tea party, dress up, reading books, anything Fay wanted.
Steve’s life was well lived. God blessed him with abundance, which rippled to include his wife, son, granddaughter, family, and others who had the privilege to really know him.
The funeral will be Wednesday, November 6, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at Union Hill Free Will Baptist Church with Brother Zack Hale officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home in Danville. Burial will be at Union Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Josh Lunsford, Jeremy Lunsford, Virgil Lee Wilkins, Paul Lee Wilkins, Lincoln Hale, Walter Embrey, Terry Owens, and Shane Millard.
Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home, Danville.
