Gary E. Launius, son of the late Ervin “Nub” Launius and Ruby June Hopkins Launius, was born on September 24, 1944 in Bloomfield, Missouri and departed this life on December 28, 2015 at his residence in Bloomfield at the age of 71.
Mr. Launius had worked as the manager of three grocery stores, Big Star, Piggly Wiggly and Swindles in Dexter and Poplar Bluff and was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Vietnam Era.
Gary had many hobbies in his life. He loved to hunt, fish and ride speed horses in his earlier years and was a member of the Big River Appaloosa Horse Association. He and his beloved horse, Popo, won many events and qualified for the world playoffs in 1977. He shared his love of horses, hunting and fishing with his family especially his grandkids, Kyle and Josey. He was their biggest fan whether at Kyle's baseball games or Josey's barrel races. Later he was known as the Watermelon King in Bloomfield. He enjoyed being out and meeting new people doing this until his health began to fail him. He always had a big smile and hat to boot.
On November 3, 1979, he was united in marriage to Elaine Robinson in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Launius survives of the home.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Rhonda and her husband Eric Causey and Cody Lynne and her husband Randy Marshall, all of Bloomfield, Missouri; by two brothers, Larry Launius and Glenn Launius, both of Dexter; by two sisters, Ann Edwards of Bloomfield and June Stoker of Dexter; and by two grandchildren, Kyle Causey and Josey McMillan
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Rebecca Elaine Robinson and by one brother, Gail Launius.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Ronnie Stevens officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
