Lonnie Longmire, Jr.

Lonnie Edward Longmire, 72, passed away on September 23, 2016, in Kerrville, Texas. Lonnie was born on December 30, 1943, in Miami, FL to Lonnie Edward and Juanita Mikell Longmire. His father passed away when Lonnie was only 12 years old, but his mother, now 91, raised Lonnie from that point on as single mother. She worked diligently to provide for Lonnie. Juanita's brother, Harry Mikell, was a strong support to them both by taking Lonnie on numerous hunting and fishing trips as Lonnie grew up. Juanita moved to Kerrville from Florida to be close to Lonnie and his family.\r\n \r\nUpon graduation from high school, Lonnie enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country for four years. After leaving military service, Lonnie entered Baylor University in the late 1960s. At Baylor, he participated in student government and was invited to attend the Leakey Leadership Lab. He was also a member of Alpha Kappa Psi men's business fraternity. \r\n \r\nLonnie supported himself during college by selling cars. He was very successful as a car salesman. Sales became his lifelong passion and profession for a successful business career. \r\n \r\nIn the fall of 1968, he met Jane Morris at Baylor University. They were married on March 29, 1969. Lonnie graduated from Baylor in January 1970.\r\n \r\nUpon graduation, Lonnie went to work for Word Books & Records of Waco as a salesman and was transferred to Kansas City, MO to cover the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Lonnie received significant recognition for his salesmanship and performance. \r\n \r\nOn October 29, 1970, Lonnie and Jane's daughter, Wendy Lynn, was born. Wendy is their only child.\r\n \r\nAfter two years at Word Records, Lonnie and Jane started their own business, Windy Distributor Company, which became the largest independent Christian record distributing company in America. Lonnie continued working at Word for two more years until Windy was profitable enough for Lonnie to quit working for Word and to join Jane full-time in the operation of Windy Distributor Company.\r\n \r\nOver the years, Lonnie, Jane, and Wendy enjoyed numerous ski trips with the Kansas City Ski Club, attending Kansas City Chiefs games, and going on other family vacations to Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Acapulco, and Alaska. They also enjoyed spending time in their backyard pool and hosting extended family in their home.\r\n \r\nIn 1984, Lonnie and Jane sold Windy Distributor Company and moved to Kerrville, Texas. They were blessed to meet many Christian friends who provided years of friendship and wonderful memories.\r\n \r\nIn 1985, Lonnie and Jane founded Shepherd Publishing Company, which published chamber directories for chambers of commerce and "welcome/relocation" guides for realtors in cities across Texas and neighboring states. Lonnie sold Shepherd Publishing in 2016.\r\n \r\nLonnie loved his AKPsi fraternity brothers from college and often referred to them as "a band of brothers." In 1989, he organized the first of what would become an annual reunion of his fraternity brothers during the Baylor Homecoming weekend each year. That tradition has become a hallmark of the AKPsi fraternity at Baylor which is carried on to this day. At a recent homecoming reunion, his brothers gave him special recognition for his leadership role in facilitating their ongoing relationships as adults. \r\n \r\nLonnie was an avid rancher, gardener and hunter. He owned a small ranch outside of Kerrville where he lived happily in the country. He was quite proud of the high quality of his home-grown products.\r\n \r\nLonnie and Jane were married for 39 years. They have four grandchildren who they have enjoyed over the years.\r\n \r\nA few years ago, Lonnie met Peg Sundberg. They became best friends, beloved companions, and confidantes. When Lonnie became ill, Peg remained faithful to Lonnie and provided much loving care for him.\r\n \r\nDuring Lonnie's four month illness, the Lord provided extra time for family and friends to visit with him and share memories together. God was gracious to provide an opportunity for Wendy to bring Lonnie's four grandchildren to see him one last time and for her and the grandchildren to say goodbye about two weeks ago. During that visit, Lonnie passed the baton and gave the family blessing to his oldest grandson, Luke Mema, age 13. It was a very special and bonding time for both Lonnie and Luke, a time that will be treasured in Luke's memories forever.\r\n \r\nGod continued his graciousness by allowing time for Lonnie's mom, Juanita, to spend numerous hours in the hospital with Lonnie to provide comfort and caring for him in his final weeks. This was very bonding to both of them.\r\n \r\nSurvivors: Daughter Wendy Mema of Fort Worth; grandchildren Luke, 13, Mark, 9, Charlie, 7, and Abby, 4; Bujar Mema, his son-in-law; his mother, Juanita Heinze, 91, of Kerrville; his uncle Harry Mikell of Orlando, FL; his aunt Ethel Muttart of Cloverdale, CA; Peg Sundberg; and a host of friends, including his Kerrville friends and his AKPsi "band of brothers." \r\n \r\nA memorial service will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, October 1st at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Kerrville. \r\n