Brian Lee Lord

Brian Lee Lord, 48, of St. Louis, MO passed away at 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the DeGreff Hospice House in St. Louis. Brian was born on January 22, 1960 in Springfield the son of Frederick and Judith Furlich Merrill. Brian attended St. Agnes Catholic School, Griffin High School, Lincoln Land Community College and Western Illinois University. He began his career in the automobile industry at the age of 23, and was employed by Landmark Chrysler in Springfield and in St. Louis as a General Manager. He bought Metro Chrysler in the St. Louis area in 2001, and was one of the top Chrysler dealers in the Midwest. He was a devoted father, husband and loving son. Besides his family and friends, he had a passion for sports and enjoyed fishing, golf and football and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He also had helped to coach his son's baseball and basketball teams. He lived everyday to the fullest. His honesty and kind heart will always be missed. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ann and Joseph Furlich. He is survived by his parents, Judy and Fred Merrill of Springfield; his wife, Linda Lord of St. Louis; four sons, Brian Jr., Griffin, Drew and Bryce all of St. Louis; two brothers, Michael (wife, Becky) Lord of Springfield and Brent (wife, Christine) Lord of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Melinda Hall of Atlanta, GA; one uncle, Jim Furlich of Springfield; five nephews; one niece and many cousins. Family will receive friends at a memorial gathering from 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. on Monday, February 18, 2008 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, with memorial mass beginning at 12:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.