Monday, June 17, 2013

Dr. Lonnie Clark Redus , MD

Dr. Lonnie Clark Redus, 93, of Amarillo died Friday, May 17, 2013.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in First Baptist Church, 1300 S. Tyler St., with Dr. Howard K. Batson and the Rev. Reed Redus officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Dr. Redus was born March 26, 1920, in Dallas to Lonnie and Ruth Redus. He graduated from Forest Avenue High School in Dallas before attending Southern Methodist University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree. He served his country in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific before being honorably discharged as a Major. During his service, his plane was shot down over the China Sea. Upon his discharge, he married Elvena Wilkey on July 7, 1946, in Braman, Okla.

He then attended Southwestern Medical School, where he obtained his M.D. He did his residency at University of Oklahoma Hospital. He practiced medicine in Weatherford, Okla., for 12 years. Together they moved to Amarillo in 1963 where he practiced medicine until 1986.

Dr. Redus loved his Lord and his family with all of his heart. He was a member of First Baptist Church for 50 years where he sang in the sanctuary choir for many years. He loved woodworking and continued working with power saws even after he had lost his sight. He loved to travel with his wife and family in their motorhome. He was an avid reader and enjoyed books on tape after losing his sight. He also loved to fish and had the opportunity to travel with his friends and fish all over the country.

Dr. Redus was an accomplished musician. He played with S.M.U. Mustang band. He had a great love for jazz music and put himself through college playing the string bass in jazz bands.
He was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Ronald Clark Redus, in 2006.

Survivors include wife, Elvena Redus of Amarillo; a son, Mark Redus of Amarillo; a daughter, Jana Gibbs and husband Duncan of Peachtree City, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Pam Redus of Amarillo; a sister, Hazel Laverne LeFevre of Gainsville, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Mary Ann Leinen and husband Derek, Ronald Clark Redus II and wife Kasey, Rebecca Redus Smith and husband Ben, David Gibbs, 1st. Lt. Bryan Gibbs and wife Jenna, Michael Gibbs and wife Katelyn, Reed Redus and wife Amy, Cpt. Riley Redus and wife Rebekah and Desaray Jimenez; nine great-grandchildren, Reagan, Brooks and Grant Leinen, Audrey and Asa Redus, Noah and Emmarie Redus and Sierra and Ella Redus.
The family suggests memorials be to First Baptist Church Music Ministry or Audio-Visual Library.

Lonnie's Redus lineage is as follows:

1. Dr. Lonnie Clark Redus
2. Lonnie John Redus - Ruth Lee Cromer
3. James William Jefferson Redus - Josephine Lenorah Worthy
4. Thomas Jefferson Redus - Srah C. Robinson
5. Thomas Jefferson Maples Redus - Hester A. Howard
6. Thomas Redus - Rachel Maples
7. Private James Redus III - Martha Wilson (Rev War Ancestor)
8. James Readus II - Catherine Parsons

Thank you for your service cousin and now you can rest in peace in the Lord's arms. Your work here is done.