Charlie Lunsford

Charles “Charlie” S. Lunsford was born February 26, 1937 in Asheville, North Carolina to Charles S. Lunsford Sr. and Kathleen (Palmer) Ropko. He passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on August 3, 2022.
He was in the United States Army from 1955-1963 at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs. He was in the National Guard and went through Hurricane Hazel in Myrtle Beach, SC. He served in the National Forestry service in 1957. He moved to Elizabeth City, NC for two years, then to Oklahoma in 1960, and finally, to Norman, OK in 1974. The highlight of his life was marrying the love of his life, Martha “Marty” K. (Brophy) on September 8, 1957. They had a daughter, Kathie and two sons, David and Tom. He had great adventures including digging for civil war relics in Ft. Fisher beginning at age twelve. His adventures continued when he received his pilots license in 1984 and flew for eight years with the Confederate Air Force flying WWII aircraft at air shows.

Charlie began his career in electrical sales and worked for Hunzicker Brothers and went on to work for Emsco Electric and retired from there in 2000. After retirement, he helped start a company called Parts Specialty at Tinker Air Force Base. He once again retired in 2009. Charlie also enjoyed working on cars and tinkering with them. He never took shortcuts; he was a daredevil and was known for being kind to everyone he knew or encountered. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; and son, David.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathie and husband Jerry Johnson of Norman, OK; son, Tom Lunsford of Norman; brother, Tony Lunsford of Cape Carteret, NC; brother-in-law, Pat Brophy of Tecumseh, OK; grandchildren, Chris Johnson, Brian Johnson, Grant Johnson and wife Brianna, Danny Lunsford; great grandchild, Khai Lunsford; nieces; nephews; good friends, Steve and wife Sandy Starwalt; and a host of other family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lifespring Hospice. Bekah, Molly, Joy, and Neely, thank you for being there for Charlie, being gracious caregivers and friends with Charlie and family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Norman Veterans Day Parade Committee, c/o Norman Park Foundation, PO Box 6523, Norman, OK. 73070 (405-366-5472).

Service will be livestreamed 5 minutes before the service (1:55PM). Please go to www.bbcnorman.com and scroll down to the black box with livestream in white letters. Click on the link to view the service for Charlie.