Rev. Lonzo F. Battles Jr., 87, of Owasso, passed from this life on Sunday, March 8, 2009, to his eternal home. He was born January 11, 1922 in Sapulpa , Oklahoma to Lonzo F. and Naomi Ruth Battles. Lonzo attended the University of Oklahoma prior to joining the Marine Corp. in 1942. He was stationed in the Central Pacific, Okinawa, and Japan. He married his best friend, Barbara Nell Amdall, on January 3, 1946 and finished his education at Oklahoma City University and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Lonzo and Barbara shared a heart for missions and began serving as missionaries in 1952 in the Juan Chino Valley of Peru. They returned to Oklahoma in 1954 due to illness. He then served the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference through churches in Granite, Hobart, Weatherford, Altus, Lawton, Woodward, Oklahoma City and as District Superintendent of the Clinton District. He and Barbara retired in 1986 and moved to their home in Yukon.

He was predeceased by his parents, one sister, his wife and infant son, Stevie.

He is survived by one brother, Wallace Battles of Meriden, Connecticut; son, David and wife Janet Battles of Edmond, OK; daughter, Carol Ferrell of Owasso; son, Paul and wife Kaye Battles of Pryor, OK; daughter, Phyllis Trest of Pilot Point, Texas; and daughter, Linda and husband Coy Burke of Midwest City, OK. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, four great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Owasso with Rev. Chris Tiger officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Clergy Endowment Fund held at the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, 4102 Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma