Lonnie Damon Tomes

Nicholasville - Lonnie Damon Tomes, 90, husband of 64 years to Evelyn Ann Tomes, Lt. Colonel Army (retired) passed away February 11, 2009. Born February 12, 1918 in Edmonson County, Kentucky, he went on to graduate from Sunfish High School before attending the University of Louisville Business College. He enlisted in the Army in 1941 and served in World War II and the Korean War in the Armor Division. He retired from the Army in 1978 at the age of 60. Following his service in the Army, he served as Manager at the Union Stock Yards Company in Montgomery, Alabama until it was sold. He then moved to Louisville where he worked as General Manager of the Bourbon Stockyards until it was also sold. He then took a position as Director of Agriculture at the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center, a position he held until he retired in 1980. While there, he began the North American Livestock Exposition and Farm Machinery Show. He served 55 years as a Mason, attaining the rank of Master, at Philip Swigert Lodge No. 218. He was a longtime member of Christ United Methodist Church in Louisville before moving to Nicholasville where he joined First United Methodist Church in Lexington. He was preceded in death by his parents Mack and Ida Tomes and three brothers and two sisters. Additional survivors include two daughters, Rebecca Ann Tomes Sigmon (Harvey) of Nicholasville, and Sandra Gayle Tomes Elliott (Paul) of Lexington; four grandchildren, Stephen Burton (Amy) of Lexington, Lesley Elliott of Alexandria, VA, Lindsey Elliott of Lexington, and Andy Elliott of Lexington; and one great-grandchild, Samuel Burton. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Betts & West Funeral Home, Nicholasville. Services will be held Friday, February 13th at 10 a.m. at Betts & West, Nicholasville. A Visitation and Service will be held Friday, February 13th at 1:30 p.m. at Pearsons Funeral Home, Breckinridge Lane, Louisville with Burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of the Bluegrass. Online guestbook at www.bettsandwestfuneralhome.com

Visitation:
Thursday, February 12, 2009 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Betts & West Funeral Home

Funeral:
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM at Betts & West Funeral Home and Friday 1:30 PM, at Pearsons Funeral Home In Louisville

Interment:
Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, KY