Michael Ray Lemons, 79, formerly of Poplar Bluff, MO and Hornersville, MO, passed away September 14, 2021 at his home in Orange, CA.

Michael married Connie Sue Branum on March 9, 1963 at First Baptist Church of Hornersville. He was in the Air Force at the time, serving during the Vietnam War, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, working in the Titan Two Missile Silo. After an honorable discharge, Mike, along with his wife Connie, owned and operated Lemon's Grocery Store in Hornersville, MO before becoming an HVACR technician in St Louis, MO.

In 1973, Mike and family moved to Poplar Bluff Missouri where he taught air-conditioning and refrigeration classes for the Poplar Bluff Vocational School (1973-1978) while also opening Lemons' Heating and Cooling. He served his customers like friends for the next 30 years before retirement.

Mike lived a full, joy filled life always being active with his church, First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff Bluff, leading a rambunctious Boy Scout troop in the community, leading RAs for the church, hunting, fishing, spoiling his grandchildren, and squeezing every ounce of life out of the days the Lord gave him.

He is survived by his wife at 58 years, Connie of Windemere, FL, his daughter LeighAnn Billsten (Nels) of Windermere, FL, his grandchildren Victoria Petty of Fort Wayne, IN, Alexandria Petty of Orange County, CA, Lawton Petty and Chloe Petty, both of Windemere, Fl. and his step-sister Ginger Aumon of West Monroe, LA and many beloved nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his son Chad Lemons, of Nashville, TN, his parents George and Hannah Lemons of Hornersville, MO, his stepmother Patricia Lemons of Senath, MO, his brothers Thomas Lemons of Horn Lake, MS, and his brother Andrew Lemons of Mountain Home, AR.

The family will be having a private dinner for friends and family to celebrate and honor his life Thursday evening in Poplar Bluff, MO. There will be a public graveside service at Horner Cemetery in Hornersville, MO at 11am, Friday, November 5.

The family requests that memorials be sent to First Baptist Church of Hornersville or to the Hornersville Cemetery Association.