Dr. Lonnie William Funderburg, a prominent figure in Birmingham Baptist life, died March 13. He was 87.
Founder of Samford University’s school of nurse anesthesia (which has been adapted over the years and is now the department of nurse anesthesia in Samford’s school of nursing), Funderburg also served on Samford’s board of overseers and was recognized as alumnus of the year in 1998. He was also president and treasurer of Anesthesiologists Associates PA in Birmingham for 32 years.
“Dr. Funderburg taught us how to provide superb watchful anesthesia care to our patients, but even more importantly, he taught us about living and giving,” said Lynn Bailey, a certified registered nurse anesthetist of Gardendale. “What a life he lived. What a wonderful example he set for us all.”
A deacon at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, Funderburg previously served as a deacon at Southside Baptist Church, Birmingham, and taught Sunday School classes for many years at both churches.
Outside of his medical work, Funderburg worked passionately in two areas — missions and the Boy Scouts. He served on numerous short-term medical missions trips between 1961 and 1998, traveling to Nigeria, Haiti, the West Indies, Gaza, Mexico and China. As scoutmaster of Troop 19 at Southside Baptist, he earned the Woodbadge and Silver Beaver awards.
“Dr. Funderburg taught enduring lessons about life while striking a tent, starting a campfire and preparing for a hike,” recalled Claude Rhea III, one of his troop members. “His title was scoutmaster but in reality, he was a life teacher. With economy of words and a ready smile, he enriched our time in God’s creation.”
Funderburg received two bachelor’s degrees from Samford (then Howard College) — pharmacy and biology; a medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine; and a master’s in pharmacology from the University of Alabama.
He also studied at Harvard Business School and was an executive officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Funderburg is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Walker Funderburg; two sons; one daughter; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. (TAB)
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