Arthur Abernathy Jr.

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Arthur K. "Junior" Abernathy Jr., 69, of Advance passed away Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, at his home.

He was born July 13, 1948, at Bloomfield, Missouri, the son of Arthur K. Sr. and Vevlean Clary Abernathy.

Junior was a 1966 graduate of Bell City (Missouri) High School.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the aircraft carrier the USS Independence.

He worked at Nestle Purina near Bloomfield for almost 30 years. He enjoyed canning from his garden.

Junior also enjoyed his model airplanes and drones. He liked watching National Hot Rod Association racing. He liked spending time with his friends in his shop. But mostly he enjoyed spending time with his grandbabies.

Junior and Janet Cooper were united in marriage Sept. 21, 1973, at Bloomfield, and she survives of the home.

Loving survivors include his wife, Janet Abernathy; two daughters, Jessica Nenninger of Jackson and Heather (Kelly) Moore of Delta; a brother, Kenneth Abernathy of Idaho; four sisters, Zoda Mae Dockins of Bell City, Francis Dumey of St. Charles, Missouri, Dorothy Lawrence of Franklin, Tennessee, and Barbara Meyer of St. Louis; and three grandchildren, Caleb, Trinity and Colton Nenninger.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the chapel, with the Revs. Gary Cooper and Kenneth White officiating. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.