Virgil Vern Lundell

Virgil Vern Lundell was born in Moline, Illinois, third child of Harry A. Lundell and Nina Gilmore Lundell. He was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Gilmore Lundell in 1996, and his sister, Esther May Lundell Knaack, in 1999.

He was married to his wife, Betty, since September 6, 1949. Virgil entered into rest on Christmas Day at his home with his family at his side.

He received his B.A. from the University of Texas-Austin in 1939; then went on to earn his B.D. from SMU-Perkins School of Theology. After furthering his studies at Vanderbuilt and Columbia, he became the founding pastor of St. Lukes Methodist Church of Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1946.

From 1950 to 1955, Virgil started his own construction business building many houses and apartment buildings in San Antonio, Texas. In 1956, he joined Lundell's Inc. as a director and served as Vice President until 2001, when he retired.

He was also quite proficient and well known for his skills in photography and cutting and carving gems. He was President of The San Antonio Photography Club and President of The Gem and Mineral Society for several years, where he also served as a national judge. He turned his gem hobby into a successful part-time business while his family and friends received many superb examples of his talent as gifts.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Thorn Lundell; son, William Grobe Lundell of Bellevue, Washington; granddaughter, Hilary; nephews, James Denniston, Harvey Knaack and family; Harry Lundell and family; niece, Judith Knaack Johnson and family; and sister-in-law, Margaret Ellen Lundell.

He is also remembered by his extended family, Gale and Michael Touzinsky, their children and grandchildren; Neta and Larry Schott, their children and grandchildren; and a host of loving friends.

During the years from 1975 to 2002, he and his wife, Betty, enjoyed traveling all over the world, visiting countless countries with his family and his extended family.