Louis H. Tempel, Jr.

Louis H. “Lou” Tempel, Jr., 93, of Sedalia, died Friday, March 15, 2019, at his home.

He was born July 21, 1925, in Mayview, MO, son of Louis H. Sr. and Rebecca Koch Tempel, and spent his childhood on the family “Century” farm. He attended Douthitt Elementary School in rural Lafayette County and graduated Salutatorian from Mayview High School. He was an Infantry Instructor in the U.S. Army in World War II and attained the rank of Technical Sgt. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated in 1949 with a BS degree in Engineering.

On August 26, 1949, he was united in marriage to Marian Lynette Schaefer of Higginsville, MO.

From 1949 until 1951 Lou taught and performed research at MU in Columbia, MO, and earned a MS degree in Engineering. For the next five and one half years he was employed as a Structural Engineer for Butler Mfg. Co. in Kansas City, MO. He was a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri.

In 1957, Lou and Richard P. Callison founded Tempel-Callison Company, a partnership, in Sedalia. The firm specialized in commercial and industrial building construction of prefabricated metal structures by Butler Mfg. Co. During his association with BMC, as a Butler Franchised Builder, Lou was a long time member of the Butler Building Advisory Council, a three term member of the prestigious Falcon Club, a Falcon Club President, and a salesman of the year. After Callison’s sudden death in 1959, Lou owned and operated the company until 1980 when it became Septagon Construction. Lou also founded Caterfield Builders in Decatur, IL (industrial construction), Lacuma Builders in Sedalia, MO (agricultural construction) and Space Unlimited (personal storage). Lou retired in 1982.

During his life in Sedalia, Lou was a Rotary Club President, a Presbyterian Church Elder, a member of the Sedalia Airport Board and an avid supporter of the Center for Human Services (Children’s Therapy Center), serving on the board of directors for 36 years and six years as president of the board. He received the Center’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Also, he was president of the Sedalia Country Club board. In 1980, he was elected to the board of directors of the Third National Bank in Sedalia and served on this board as a member and emeritus member for thirty years.

Lou was a devoted golfer and spent many of his retirement days on the Sedalia Country Club golf course. He was Club Champion in 1970. He also loved and participated in sports, particularly basketball, baseball, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by one son, Curtis and wife, Julie, of Cumming, GA; one daughter, Marla Abrams, of Sedalia; four grandchildren, Anne and Eric Tempel, and Bradley and Morgan Abrams; two great-grandchildren, Makai and Gabriela.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marian, on December 16, 2018; and one son, Dr. Lance H. Tempel, DDS, in 2001.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Heckart Funeral Home, with a memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Rob Hughes officiating.

Inurnment will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.

Memorials are suggested to Children’s Therapy Center.