Andrew, A.J, Andy, Bud, Dad, Grandpa, a man of many names, was born in Franklin, MO June 28th, 1926. His parents were Benjamin and Ruby Belle Conrow Lancaster. He had four siblings; David, Shirley, Tom and Pearl. He married Ada Reichel February 1st, 1947. They celebrated their 73rd anniversary this past February. He served in World War II and returned safely back home. They had seven children; Linda Lancaster, Dallas (Debby) Lancaster, Patty Lancaster, Debbie Lancaster, Connie (Kevin) Popejoy, Kris (John) Staats, and Kenny (Dawn) Lancaster. He had six grandchildren: Ashlee Lancaster, Josh Popejoy, Cole Staats, Cody Lancaster, Morgan Popejoy and Caitlin Staats.
He did physical labor most of his life. He worked for the MKT Railroad, Sears, and the University of Missouri. He then drove cars for Bob McCosh until he officially retired. He traveled a lot with his family over the years. Anywhere they could camp, they went as a family. He loved the outdoors more than anyone we knew. He hunted a bit and fished, but more than anything he loved to garden. He would have the prettiest yard for miles. He would spend most of his free time in his yard working to make it perfect. He would wear dress pants and his dress shoes and sometimes you’d catch him out there in a nice dress shirt too working in the dirt. I’m pretty sure that was his secret to a beautiful yard, he dressed up for the flowers so they would bloom their best blooms for him. If he wasn’t working in the yard, he was sitting outside listening to the birds and soaking up the sunshine. The man couldn’t get enough sunshine!
He was one of a kind. He was the happiest when he was with his family. He was so proud of his children and spoiled his grandchildren. He was known for his Doublemint gum. Pretty sure he kept Doublemint gum in business all by himself. He was never without gum in his pocket. If you caught him on a good day, he would have Juicy Fruit as a choice of gum too. Didn’t matter if you were his family or a perfect stranger, he’d offer you a piece of gum. And you had to take it, refusing the gum was not an option. The older he got, his pocket candy turned in to just peppermints. The man had a sweet tooth bigger than anyone. He never turned down candy or any sweet. His family wonders where they get it from, he is the one to blame!
He may have been the quieter one of the bunch, but you knew he was happy when he was with his family. That smile and laugh of his said it all. Not sure what we are going to do with this hole in the family now, but his presence will be missed. I don’t know where we will get our Doublemint gum or peppermints, but I do know that we will never be able to chew Doublemint gum or eat a peppermint without thinking about him.
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