Lundy Eldridge Cavender

Lundy Eldridge Cavender, age 99, of Ruston, LA, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020.

Lundy was born on Dec. 13, 1920, in De-Queen, Arkansas, to William John and Lula Pemelton Cavender.

The family moved to Idabel, OK, in 1921 where Lundy spent his childhood and graduated from high school in 1939.

With World War II impending Lundy enlisted in the U.S. Navy June 25, 1940, where he served four years aboard the heavy cruiser USS Louisville and was awarded 10 battle stars in the Pacific theatre. As a Chief Radioman Lundy directed the ship’s gunfire in battles as directed by the US Maries and US Army. He also directed airplane firepower for the WWII Pacific theatre battles. Lundy set up the Navy’s teletype school in Camp Crowder, Missouri, in 1945.

Lundy is a lifetime charter member memorialized in the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. Following honorable discharge from the Navy, Lundy graduated with a BSBA from the University of Arkansas on June 3, 1950. He also was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. During the Korean War in 1950, Lundy was recalled to active duty and was part of the crew who took the USS Oak Hill out of mothballs and into active service in the Korean War. After serving in the Korean War for two years Lundy was again honorably discharged and was named manager of the Helena, Arkansas, Chamber of Commerce.

In 1955 Lundy became a member of the staff of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. In 1960 he managed the committee that formed the first LHSAA basketball tournament. He was also instrumental in the galas for the premier of the movie, “The Horse Soldiers.”

In 1961 Lundy was named manager of Ruston Chamber of Commerce where he was successful in bringing industry to Ruston, Lincoln Parish area including Stowe-Woodward, Lauren’s Glass, Fiberbond and Santiam. Lundy served for three years as president, Louisiana Peach Festival and is past president of the Rotary Club.

Lundy is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Mary Joanne Cavender, his son, Lundy Eldridge Cavender, Jr. M.D., his parents and four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his three daughters, Barbara Cavender Lewis, Beverly de Filippis, Mary Cavender, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com