Virgil S. "Buzz" Lujin, Jr.

Virgil S. "Buzz" Lujin, Jr., age 89, of Versailles, died Friday, March 25, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City.
He was born August 25, 1921, in Sedalia, a son of Virgil Seldon Sr., and Lulu Myrtle Renfrow Lujin. On March 24, 1943, at the Versailles United Methodist Church, Buzz was united in marriage to Vallie Louise "Buddy" Guenther, who survives at the home.
He was a 1939 graduate of Versailles High School. He was a Navy veteran, serving his country during World War II as a pilot aboard the USS Lake Champlain Air Craft Carrier, achieving the rank of Lieutenant. Buzz was proud to serve his country and in his own words described his service. "I was a young flier flying F6F Hellcats in VF-150 in 1945. I attended the original commissioning, went on the shakedown, and was aboard for the War Bond tours in Boston, Philadelphia and New York. It was the people of New York State who paid to build our carrier in 1943-45."
Buzz, along with his wife Buddy and sons Rick and Ron, own and operate Carpenter-Guenther Lumber Company in Versailles, where quality materials and service are the cornerstone of their business.
He was a member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge AF & AM since 1946, a member of the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine in Springfield and the Scottish Rite in Kansas City. Buzz was a charter member of the Rolling Hills County Club in Versailles and a charter member of the USS Lake Champlain Carrier Group. He was a longtime, faithful member of the Versailles United Methodist Church.
In 2010 Buzz and Buddy were chosen to be the Grand Marshals of the Versailles Apple Festival Parade.
In 1946, at the urging of his father-in-law, Buzz took up quail hunting. For 38 consecutive years, Buzz and his good friend Bud Walton never missed the first and second day of quail season. For many years he could be found on the golf course, or out on his motorcycle enjoying the countryside. He was an animal lover, especially his Bird dogs and later German Shepherds. He also had a green thumb, which was evident in all of the plants growing inside and outside his home. However, his greatest enjoyment came from being with kids, whether it was his own grandchildren, the kids at church or
a new family he just met, you knew he had a pocket full of candy to share.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and their spouses, Rick and Karen Lujin of Versailles, Becky and Bob Hughes of Ladue and Ron Lujin of Versailles; a sister, Mary Frances "Snookie" Rismon of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; five grandchildren and their spouses, Regan and Rob Walter, Trent and Georganna Lujin, Ashley and Kevin Haden, Terrence and Jennifer Lujin and Trish and Derek Dorsey, twelve great grandchildren, Caleb, Anna, Jesse, Samuel, Luke, Micah, Thad and Mercy Walter, Brooks and Avery Haden and Ashlynn and Wyatt Lujin, also a niece, JoLynn Rismon Newman, two nephews Craig Rismon and Brian Rismon, along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law Bud Rismon.
Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 29, at the Versailles United Methodist Church with Rev. Barry Fielder officiating. Interment, with military funeral honors, will be in the West Lawn Addition in Versailles City Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Monday, March 28, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.