Noel Lemons, Jr.

Noel Lemons, Jr.
1926-2011

Noel Lemons Jr., 84, passed away peacefully at home with his miniature schnauzer, Mitzi, at his side on January 15, 2011.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on October 30, 1926.
He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Sue Lemons of Orlando; Daughter and Spouse, Karen and Scott Willick of Orlando; Grandson and Spouse, Tom and Dawn Jennemann of Brooklyn, New York; and a treasured great-grandson, Robert Ernest Jennemann.

Noel came from a large family. He was one of seven siblings, of which four will survive him: Ruth Boyd of Louisville, Kentucky; JoAnn Stephens and her Spouse, Darrel Stephens, of Macon, Georgia; Betty Hadoulis and her Spouse, Sam Hadoulis, of Abingdon, Maryland; and Robert Lemons and his Spouse, Beverly Lemons, of Columbus, Georgia. He has numerous nieces and nephews and other extended relatives, all who will miss him.

As a young man, Noel served in the United States Navy stationed in the Pacific Basin during World War II. After the war, Noel primarily worked at the Naval Ordnance Plant in Louisville, Kentucky. Co-workers praised Noel's precise work as a machinist and a designer making ordinance used on naval vessels today. He was careful and thorough, rarely making even a small error. But, best, co-workers praise Noel for his skill at playing pinochle during their daily lunch breaks. He was a true card shark and loved to play dominoes.

During summer weekends and vacations, Noel was not far away from the water, owning several small boats, and one large houseboat that he kept on Kentucky and Tennessee lakes. He would ski, fish, boat, and just relax at the lakes every chance he got. He was always the one to get the engines working, to dock the boat, and to fix whatever was broken. Noel's favorite boat was named "Little Buddy", after his beloved grandson, Tom, who often got to go to the lake with Gramps.

Noel's construction skills extended to the family home. He built or remodeled numerous houses and always was involved in a complicated construction project for his family or others. He could see a problem, devise a solution, and then, with the skill of a true craftsman, complete a perfect project. He taught his daughter, Karen, to love construction, and, with her help, he has rebuilt every single home she has ever bought, sometimes after first totally gutting the home. He was never one to worry about plans, once noting, with sledge hammer in hand, "That wall ain't holding nothing up."

In 1981, Noel retired and moved to join Sue, who was working in Jacksonville, Florida. He took up golf when his grandson, Tom, was in third grade. They learned the sport together walking the courses. He started to make golf clubs when Tom, a left-hander, was growing quickly and could not afford to keep replacing his expensive clubs.

In 1996, Noel and Sue again moved, this time to join Karen and Scott in Orlando. He was retired for almost 30 years and enjoyed every day. He puttered. He gardened. He helped friends and neighbors, and, as mentioned above, helped raise his grandson Tom and renovate houses with his daughter Karen. He was a quiet man, but never bored and never lonely. He was much loved and will be long remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 or to First Christian Church of Winter Park, 1140 South Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32792.