Robert Lee Lunsford, Iii

Robert Lee Lunsford III died peacefully in his home on Saturday morning, February 24th, 2007. He was 86.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Julia; their son John and wife Beth and their two children Erin and Molly, of Raleigh, NC; son Peter of Portland, OR; son David and close friend Stephanie Lain of Austin, TX; his two brothers, Tom of Cleveland, OK, and Phil and wife Jean of Raleigh, NC.

Bob was a proud alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, was a Rhodes Scholar candidate, and earned his Bachelors degree and a Juris Doctorate from the same institution. He was a member of the Beta Theta Phi fraternity. He served as an Officer in both World War II and the Korean Conflict and spent a good deal of time in the Pacific theatre.

His most notable traits were that of his extraordinary kindness and generosity, extended to everyone he encountered, his stature as a true gentleman, his appreciation of good humor, and his profound love and honor for his wife Julie of 51 years, and his children. Bob and Julie met in Hawaii, were married in 1956, and reared three sons.

Although educated as an Attorney, Bob spent most of his professional life as a Banker. His banking career began in Hawaii, and took Bob and his family to Aurora, CO, and then to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz in California. He then returned to Cleveland in 1976 and served as Vice President of his familyís bank, the First National Bank of Cleveland until 1988. He and Julie retired to the Rogue Valley of Oregon in 1992.

Belonging to the Cleveland Methodist Church, Bob was also an avid community volunteer, working with the Exchange Club and International Rotary Clubs for decades. He served as President of the Cleveland Rotary from 1990 to 1992 and was the recipient of the Rotarianís Paul Harris Fellow honorarium for his service. While a Rotarian in Cleveland, OK, Bob worked tirelessly to establish an international exchange student program for the community, and personally sponsored five students to come to the United States and study at Cleveland High School. The five students lived in the Lunsford home for a time while attending school.

The family has suggested remembrances may be directed to benefit the Will Rogers Scout Reservation of the local Boy Scouts Cimarron Council, the Rotary Clubís International Student Exchange program, and the Salvation Army.