Ottumwa, Iowa - Donald Ray Lunsford, 86, of Ottumwa died at 8:11 p.m. May 17, 2026 at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.

He was born April 24, 1940 at home in Milton to Wesley Moses and Jessie Farley Lunsford. Don married Rosalee Joyce Carlo December 24, 1958.

Growing up in Milton, Don moved to Eddyville for his last year of high school, graduating in 1958. He drove a truck for 60 years, later starting Lunsford Trucking. Aside from trucking, he farmed and custom baled for 25 years. He was an auctioneer with his brother, Ronald Lunsford for 10 years and drove the bus for Eddyville and Albia Schools.

His children and grandchildren were crown jewels in his life, he enjoyed gardening and his dog Spot.

Surviving is his wife, Rosalee; their children, Keith Lunsford of Ottumwa, Kenny (Kim) Lunsford of Knoxville, Mark (Linda) Lunsford of Eddyville, Marvin (Donita) Lunsford of Mt. Airy, MD, Donnalee (Scott) Perry of Moravia and Marilee McGee of Ottumwa; grandchildren, Danielle (Nate) Garrison, Klayton (Hailey) Lunsford, Blake (Kseniya) Lunsford, Brooke (Dmitriy) Bondarenko, Marcus (Destiny) Lunsford, Mason (Molly) Lunsford, Martin Lunsford, Logan (Kendall) Perry, Lauren (Nick) Chase, Max (Taylor) McGee, Jack McGee; great grandchildren, Olive Garrison, Ransom Lunsford, and Lillian Lunsford, who's expected in July.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kevin Lunsford, brothers, Chad Lunsford, James Lunsford, Ronald Lunsford and Darrell Lunsford; sisters, Evalee Westhoff and Bonnie Carlo.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday May 21st at Reece Funeral Home. Family will be present to greet friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the family.