August Morlock

August William ("Bud") Morlock, 72, died Monday, May 7, 2012, surrounded by loved ones in his family home of over 30 years in Tipton, Missouri. Bud was born in Boonville, Missouri, on May 20, 1939, to Louis and Katherine (Verlinden) Morlock. However, Bud spent most of his childhood (and, indeed, his adult life) in the Tipton area, graduating from Tipton High School as Senior Class Vice President in 1957. After high school, Bud served his country in the United States Air Force from October 1957 to December 1960. Bud's childhood in the Tipton area, and his stint in the Air Force (in particular his time in Turkey) would be the source for innumerable stories and anecdotes that Bud loved sharing with his family over the years. After completing his military service, Bud returned to mid-Missouri and married Margaret Josephine ("Peggy") Sommer on May 4, 1962, in St. Martin, Missouri. Bud eventually opened Morlock Feed & Farm Supply in Tipton and Pilot Grove. Always an avid reader and believer in education, Bud put himself through school while providing for a growing family, ultimately graduating from Lincoln University with a degree in Accounting. Bud went to work for the Missouri Department of Transportation where he held a variety of positions, culminating in his oversight of MoDOT's Aviation Section. After 32 years, Bud retired from MoDOT on June 1, 2000, to spend more time with Peggy and devote his energies to his lifelong interests in family, reading, gardening, and woodcraft. Bud was a lifelong Catholic and an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church. He also served on the Board of Directors for Tipton Manor for many years. Bud is survived by Peggy, his constant companion for over 50 years, his aunt Viola Meyer, his daughter Pamela Anne Alexander, his sons John Louis Morlock and William Vernon Morlock, six grandsons of whom he was especially proud, Johnathan Louis Morlock II, August Joseph Morlock, Andrew Vernon Morlock, Mark Asher Alexander, Jacob William Morlock, and Jeffrey Alan Morlock, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous friends and acquaintances who will always remember Bud as the consummate gentleman and a genuinely kind person. Bud passed peacefully, surrounded by those who held him most dear. His family is comforted by the knowledge that his loving compassion and gentle kindness will be received at the Gates of Heaven by his beloved daughter, Della. A funeral mass will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton on Friday, May 11, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a private burial ceremony at St. Andrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Catholic Relief Services be made in Bud's honor.