Earl Lucas O'Rourke Jr.

Earl Lucas O'Rourke Jr., 90, of Fulton, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020, at Missouri Veteran's Home in Mexico. He was born in St. Louis, Mo. on January 19, 1930 to the late Earl Lucas O'Rourke Sr. and the late Harriett (Largent) O'Rourke. On March 23, 1952, Earl married the love of his life Patricia (Murphy) O'Rourke, following four and half years of courtship. She survives his passing. Earl proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. He was stationed aboard the USS Pollux (AKS-4). This ship operated as part of the 7th Fleet carrying supplies to Korea. He was discharged from the Pollux when accepted into Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Earl was then commissioned an Ensign and his first assignment was aboard the USS Block Island, an air craft carrier, which was part of the Hunter Killer Group operating in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and the North Sea. Earl served as a line officer and was later commissioned Lieutenant Junior Grade. His last tour was in Great Lakes, IL where he served as a military training and drill officer. Earl graduated from Westminster College in 1951 where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Westminster Blue Jay's baseball team. Following his military service, Earl and Pat returned to Fulton where he started the Farm Supply and Construction Company; constructing many fences and pole barns in Callaway County. He later worked for Westminster College as Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. The highlight of his carrier there was overseeing the construction of the Church of St. Mary, the Virgin, Aldermanbury. Earl ended his work career at Danuser Machine Company where he was the Sales Manager traveling all over the United States and the Provinces of Canada. Earl was a member of First Baptist Church and served as a deacon. A community minded individual, Earl was a member of the Fulton Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society, President's Club of Westminster College, Friends of the Winston Churchill Memorial, and a Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. Earl received the Order of the Owl Award from William Woods University. In his spare time, Earl enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. He was a member of the Fulton Country Club where he and Pat enjoyed many years of playing golf. Earl was club champion with he and Pat winning the husband and wife trophy three times. Earl was a talented primitive rug hooker and very proud of his beautiful work. Earl hooked over 200 rugs often donating to many charities and organizations for fundraising opportunities. Earl was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. After entering the Mexico Veterans home, the first activity he experienced was traveling to St. Louis to attend a Cardinal game, making his transition so much easier. Earl will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful man who was never anything less than a gentleman. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Patricia O'Rourke of Fulton; daughter, Erin O'Rourke Lankford (Thomas) of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Jessica Lankford Moore (Josh) of Toledo, Ohio, Philip Lankford of Denver, Colo., Andrew Lankford (Alyssa) of Oklahoma City, Okla., Ashley O'Rourke (Lindsey) of Jefferson City, and Kelsey O'Rourke Howard (Jordan) of Glencoe; and great-grandchildren, Jillian, Madison, Luke, Faith, Melody, and Caden. In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his son, Michael Earl O'Rourke. Private family services will be held. Interment with Military Honors will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to First Baptist Church or Missouri Veteran's Home of Mexico, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Boulevard, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences may be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com.