L.D. "Jeff" Jefferson

Lawrence Denney Jefferson Sr

May 30, 1923 – November 9, 2021

L.D. "Jeff" Jefferson Sr - age 98 of Gallatin, MO passed away Tuesday morning, November 9th, 2021, at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, MO surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on May 30, 1923, the son of William Madison and Clara Bernice (Denney) Jefferson in Woodbine, Iowa.  He attended school in Woodbine, Iowa, Redding, Iowa and graduated in 1941 from the Grant City, Missouri High School. Lawrence served in the United States Army during World War II from July 23, 1943, until his honorable discharge on December 21, 1945.  He was awarded five Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit and Victory medals for his participation in the European, Rhineland, Ardenness and Northern France campaigns.

On November 17, 1950, he was united in marriage to Patricia Jean Richmond in Mt. Ayr, IA and through their marriage they had two children, Lawrence Denney Jefferson Jr and Cynthia Jean Jefferson. 

In 1951 Lawrence began his career with the Missouri Highway Patrol as a weight Inspector in Cameron, Missouri then later accepted a position as a Missouri State Highway Patrolman.  During his years of service he was assigned to Clinton, Caldwell, Dekalb and Daviess counties, and ended his career working at the Troop H Headquarters.  After having proudly served the citizens of Missouri with a 36 year career, Lawrence retired from the Highway Patrol Troop H Headquarters on December 31, 1985.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and staying busy with numerous interests (gardening, woodworking, crafting, carpentry, and car restoration). He also was an active member of the Gallatin Rotary Club, the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge.

L.D. was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings, Harold Jefferson, Bill Jefferson and Dorothy Pickering.  He is survived by his son, Lawrence “Denney” Jefferson, Jr. and his wife, Bobbie of Warrensburg, MO and daughter, Cynthia Fuller of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Chelsea (Ben) Miller, Brian (Lauren) Jefferson, Courtney (Sean) Waltman, Kendal Fuller, Kenton (Jacqueline) Fuller, Felicia (Maxwell) Koehler; great-grandchildren, Jayden Jefferson and Alannah Jefferson, Dylan (Kalina) Kucera, Mikayla Kucera, Hunter Waltman, Avery, Tucker and Alli Koehler; great-great-grandson, Lawrence Kucera; brother-in-law, Phillip (Joyce) Richmond; nephew, James (Janet) Richmond; other extended family members also survive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Active Aging Resource Center in care of the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held December 3, 2021 at 11:00 am; visitation will be at 10:00 am at Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin (660) 663-2217.  Inurnment will be at a later date at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mt. Ayr, IA.

Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin.  Online Guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com.

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