L. H. Westmoreland

Dr. L. H. Westmoreland Jr., 94, Holts Summit, passed away Friday, February 11, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Mo. He was born January 3, 1917, in Stockton, Kan., the son of Dr. L. H. and Goldie (Long) Westmoreland Sr. He was united in marriage to Mellie B. Bynum on December 25, 1942, in Eldon, Mo. She preceded him in death. Dr. Westmoreland graduated from eighth grade from Hazel Grove School, a two-room school near Unity Farm on 50 Highway, 7 miles west of Lee's Summit, Mo. He graduated from Ritenour High School in Overland, Mo. in 1936. He went on to graduate from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Mo. in 1939, and Monroe College of Optometry in Chicago, Ill. in 1939. He began his practice in optometry in 1946, with Dr. J. S. Summer Sr. in Jefferson City. He was a member of Central Missouri Optometric Society, serving several years as President. He served as President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Central Missouri Optometric Association and was a member of the American Optometric Association. He was a member of the Optometric Extension Program for over 50 years. Doc, as most people called him, was a friend to everyone. He was a member of B.P.O Elks and IOOF Lodge #37, serving as Treasurer of IOOF for 37 years and member of the Tebbetts Lodge for more than 10 years. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1962, serving as Flotilla Commander of the Jefferson City Flotilla for several years. In 1969 he served as Division Captain of Old XXIII Division which included Flotillas west of St. Louis including Jefferson City, St. Joe, Springfield, Kansas City, Muskogee and Tulsa, Okla., and all of Kansas and Denver, Colo. He was very active in scouting, serving as the first Cubmaster of Pack 9, Patrol Dad and assistant to Scout Master Ed Cole. He was Chairman of Three Rivers District under Red Moody. He served on training committees and as a Vigil in the Order of the Arrow. He was a member and past board member of both Mid Missouri Saddle Club and Show Me Circuit and a member of Missouri Arabian Horse Association for 30 years. He was invited to participate in nationally recognized parades such as Veiled Prophet, American Royal, Pegasus (Kentucky Derby), Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and Orange Bowl. He served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Holts Summit for many years. He was a member of the Lion's Club and his favorite fundraiser was the Peanut Sale. He served on the Holts Summit School Board as Secretary/Treasurer for several years until it was merged with the Jefferson City School District. Dr. Westmoreland was a charter member and part of the original 61 people who organized Memorial Baptist Church in 1950. He is survived by one son, Dr. L. H. Westmoreland III of Mississippi; one daughter, Goldie Holzer of Holts Summit, Mo.; six grandchildren, Erik Case, Misty Dawson, Clay Westmoreland, Darla Gjesvold, Jeff Holzer and Julie Terry and 11 great-grandchildren, Eric Jurgle, Nikki Case, Meghan Eplee, Trevor Dawson, Kyla Mae Dawson, Cole Holzer, Emma Holzer, Abby Holzer, Reece Gjesvold, Amber Westmoreland and Katie Westmoreland. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; one brother, R.C. Westmoreland; one sister, Edith Hume; and one grandson, Gary Westmoreland. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Heisinger Bluffs in Jefferson City. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.debofuneralhome.com.