Thomas Jefferson Lamar IIII—or just “Jeff” to everyone who knew and loved him—was born on September 23, 1960, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Georgia Raydene Lindsey and Thomas Jefferson Lamar III (“Tom”). He passed away on March 29, 2025, at the age of 64, leaving behind a family that adored him and a whole lot of people whose lives were brighter because of him.
Jeff is survived by his four children, each of whom he loved deeply and spoke of often with pride: Tommy and his wife Kayla and their sons Braylon, Easton, Barrett, and Bentley; Baylei Lamar and Jordan Camp and their daughter Mallie, Mitchell and wife Kelsie with their daughters Evangeline and Naviah; Cutter and fiancée Taylor and their son Ezra. He also leaves behind his three sisters and their husbands—Kim and Rocky Sullivan, Karla and David Eslinger, and Jamie and Bob Dye—as well as a big extended family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends who became like family. The family wants to express a special thank you to Mary Ann Moore for her constant support and care.
Jeff made life fun. He had a joyful spirit, an ornery grin, and a laugh that you could hear before you ever saw him coming—usually with music blaring from his truck and a smart remark on deck. Whether he was telling stories, giving people a hard time, or turning up the volume on a gathering, Jeff had a way of making everything more lively. He was a truck driver, an electrician who called himself “Sparky Jefferson,” and a man who liked to drive fast and live louder.
Jeff loved to cook. At family dinners he was the first to arrive to help cook, and the first to leave so he wouldn’t miss his favorite team the Chiefs play or a NASCAR race. His cooking wasn’t just good—it was part of the way he cared for people. Whether it was ribs, chili, or something fried and probably a little spicy, Jeff’s food fed both the stomach and the soul.
His passing leaves a very deep void in the hearts of his family and friends, but his memory will live on in the laughter, the music, and the meals we’ll never forget. Most of all, Jeff will be remembered for his tender heart and the way he made everyone feel like they belonged.
A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm with services to follow at 2:00 pm at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville, Missouri. Burial will follow at Lutie Cemetery in Theodosia.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lutie Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.
