Lonnie O. Waits, Jr.

Lonnie O. Waits Jr., 71 passed away February 7, 2015 at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN. He was born March 15, 1943 in Granite, Oklahoma to Lonnie O. Waits Sr. and Dolly Margueritte King Waits. He graduated from Moore High School in Moore, OK. He served in the U.S. Air Force from August 1962 to February 1967. Lonnie graduated from Oscar Rose Junior College in Oklahoma City. He worked for Sunkist Growers, Inc. for over 30 years and finished his career at Auto Trader Magazine where he could pursue his passion for cars.

Lonnie was a man of tender strength. He exemplified a servant’s heart and a strong work ethic. He was generous to a fault and eager to help others in need. He was kind and knowledgeable and could dispense advice without being preachy. He was able to care and respond to others needs without the need for accolades or recognition. Lonnie was a faithful member of Kirby Woods Baptist Church where he served for a time as a greeter. Every now and then he was caught napping in church and would reply “If you have a clear conscience you can sleep anywhere.”

He loved to garden and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He delighted in their adventures and achievements as if they were his own. He had a passion for cars of all kinds. Lonnie collected, fixed and repaired cars throughout his life. He collected model cars and car magazines and enjoyed sharing his knowledge of cars with others.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his youngest sister, Esta Schmidt.

He is survived by his faithful wife of 52 years, Sharon Waits; two sons Mitchel (Juliann) Waits of Germantown and Matthew (Karen) Waits of Arlington, TN; six grandchildren, Cody Sides of Phoenix, AZ, Jesse Waits of Knoxville, TN, Collin Waits of Arlington, TN, Casey (William) Jenkins of Cordova, TN, Hannah Waits of Arlington, TN, Harlow Waits of Arlington, TN; two sisters, Darlene Baker of Oklahoma City, OK and Mardi Ruegge of Oklahoma City, OK; three brothers, Shelby Waits of Jacksonville, TX, Jesse Waits of Conroe, TX and Ron Waits of Longmont, CO.

The family will receive friends Thursday February 12, 2015 at Kirby Woods Baptist Church 6325 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119, from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m.; with funeral services to follow at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN.

The family requests any memorials to be sent to Kirby Woods Baptist Church Missions Ministry.