Roger L. “Bud” Head

Roger L. “Bud” Head passed away April 8, 2020 at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon. He was 95.
Head was a World War II Army Combat-Wounded Purple Heart recipient who fought in Luzon, Philippines with the 32nd Red Arrow division. He was a cattleman and orchardman. In 1959, he and his wife purchased the Coleman Orchard in the Marionville/McKinley area and over the years expanded to include orchards at Seymour, Versailles, Louisiana, Missouri, making Head Orchards the largest apple producer in the state of Missouri. Peach orchards and grapes vineyards were also part of the business. Bud was always involved in the cattle business and worked many years for the National Commission Company at the Springfield Stockyards. As a cattleman he always had herds of Black Angus or Charolais cattle.  
He is survived by: daughters, Regina Smart and Paula Murphy; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by: wife of 69 years, Alma Jean Head; son, Gary Head; sister, Faye Forrester; and parents William and Grace Head.
No funeral ceremony or visitation will be held out of concern for others during the COVID-19 pandemic. A private burial will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery, McKinley under the direction of Meadors Funeral Home in Republic. You may share the loss of this family member and friend online with condolences and memories at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 266 Marionville 65705.