Lemon, Theodore G. 1939-2024 St. Joseph, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
Theodore “Ted” George Lemon, 85, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at his home. He was born Jan. 9, 1939, in Lenora, Kansas, to Arminda “Peggy” and Robert “Linn” Lemon. He graduated from Norton Community High School in Norton, Kansas.
Ted worked as an Allstate Insurance Agent, and was co-owner of Sea Jay Boats. He retired as an autobody instructor at Hillyard Technical School. Ted was very artistic and creative. Everything he worked on was treated as a piece of art, including his autobody work, artistic sketches, poems he created, and even his own headstone. He loved spending time boating on the river, attending air shows, flying his airplane, riding his motorcycle, and taking care of the ones he loved. He had an adventurous spirit and was a big kid at heart.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved companion of 50 years, Phyllis Thuman; daughter, Michelle Forsman; brothers, Robert Lemon, Richard Lemon, and Ronald Lemon; sister, Kathleen Hiner; and son, Rolland Thuman Jr.
Survivors include his sisters, Peggy Colleen Close and Tamara “Tami” Dawn Close (Jon) McCain; daughter, Carole (Ron) Thomsen; grandchildren, Kim (Ken) Thomsen, Evin (Jackie) Thuman, Becky Dawson, Brien Dawson, and Halli (Steven) Drake; great-grandchildren, Michael Thomsen, Kristen (Ian) Vice, and Kyler Dawson; great-great-grandchildren, Lillyan Thomsen, Kenneth Thomsen, and Emery Vice; and numerous nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.
Mr. Lemon has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. A Graveside Memorial Service and Inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 at Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor Andy Campbell officiating. The family requests casual dress for the service, even shorts and white tube socks are appropriate considering that it was Ted’s favorite attire.
To carry on Ted’s love for Auto Body work, Memorials may be sent to the Ted Lemon Memorial Scholarship, c/o of Nodaway Valley Bank (4001 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, MO 64506) which will be directed to students at Hillyard Technical Center- Auto Body Program.
Online condolences, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
