Lonnie Joel Vandergriff
d. December 28, 2013
Date Died: December 28, 2013
Chico ~ Lonnie Joel Vandergriff, 64, a home builder and rock and brick mason, went to be with our Lord Saturday, December 28, 2013 in Chico.
Funeral is 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel in Bridgeport with burial in Olive Branch Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Rev. J.J. Stevens, Rev. Tom Merritt, and Rev. Alan Youngblood will officiate. Pallbearers include Johnny Burrell, Kyle Bilby, Jeff Bilby, Daniel Vandergriff, Scott Sherman, and Roy Stanley.
Lonnie was born on June 9, 1949 to Junior Lee and Azell (Morgan) Vandergriff in Fort Worth. He was united in marriage to Diana Weinheimer on December 31, 1994 in Decatur. Lonnie owned and operated Vandergriff Construction for 46 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Chico Masonic Lodge, and Grapevine Masonic Lodge. Lonnie was an avid outdoorsman. In 2008 Lonnie and his wife Diana traveled to Africa for a hunting safari. For many years he was a fishing guide at Lake Ray Roberts. Lonnie held the title of Bass Angler of the Year 1991 and 1993.
He was preceded in death by his father, Junior Lee Vandergriff and his brother-in-law, Loyall Utter.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Diana Vandergriff of Chico; his sons, Duane Vandergriff and wife Leah of Hurst, Daniel Vandergriff and wife Sandy of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his daughters, Amy Vasquez Jordan and fiance Jonathan Teich of Cresson, Texas, Katie Olson and husband Adam of Alamogordo, New Mexico; his grandchildren, Dylan, Hannah, Dakota, and Brazos; his mother, Azell Vandergriff of Keller; his sisters, Barbara Youngblood and husband Alan of Mena, Arkansas, Karen Utter of Fort Worth, Joan Vandergriff of Colleyville, and Debbie Long and husband David of Azle; his aunt, Vernell Morgan Kanode and husband Lenny of Keller; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Memorial contributions can be made at First State Bank in Chico.
Hawkins Funeral Home, Bridgeport, Texas, 940-683-2211
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We have lost not only a sisters husband but great friend! Lonnie lived life to the fullest and was devoted to all the members of his family! He will surely be missed. We will not be able to attend the services but our hearts are certain to be there with Diana. We take comfort in knowing the pain is gone and he has surely has gone to a better place!
Bill & Carol Madison
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Diane,
We are so sorry for your loss! I can not imagine what this has been like for you and your family. We are praying that God will comfort and keep you as you travel this rocky place.
Praying with you,
Lester and Barbara Galbreath
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Diana and family - Once again, please know how sorry we are that you have lost Lonnie. All of your are in our prayers and thoughts, since we know that Lonnie was such a large part of your lives. Although we have not been able to be in your company for quite a while, believe me, Lonnie's fun personality made quite an impression on both of us, something neither of us will ever forget. Truly a wonderful man, one that the world is a sadder place for losing.
Our prayers are with you Diana in the future, that you can go on with your memories of Lonnie.
We love you.
Dick and Donna Fisher
Cheyenne WY
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