Long-time businessman and active community leader Steven Fuller has been honored by his selection as the Grand Marshal for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Lexington on Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m.

Fuller, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, has been in funeral service for 44 years. Following over two decades in Iowa — the majority as a manager — Fuller came to Missouri acquiring and successfully operating Lexington’s Walker, Nadler Fuller Funeral home since 2002 and the Ralph O. Jones Funeral home in Odessa in 2010.

Upon his local establishment of residence, he transferred his membership to the Lexington United Methodist Church and, for nearly a quarter of a century, has capably and arduously served the church and its congregation. Therein, he actively applied himself to the duties and responsibilities serving on the Church the Administrative council, the Pastor Parish relations committee and the Nominating committees, in addition to serving several times as the church’s Lay Leader as well his long-time membership of the choir.

But his positive local activities have far extended that of his religious affiliation. As well as twice serving as the president of the Lexington Rotary Club, he has headed various of the organization’s community projects. Some of these include the raising of funds through Rotary for the local food pantry for their Christmas meals program and the Rotary scholarship program.

He has been a member of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce since first coming to Lexington, serving many years as a board member. Additionally, he has long supported the Lexington Fine Arts program and, for quite some time, served on the Margaret Gray Senior Center Board.

Beyond pride and love for Lexington, there also appears to be a song in his heart! He has sung with the Lafayette County Chorus of Friends, while it was active in Lafayette County, as well as being an enthusiastic member of the Kansas City Metro Men’s choir for many years. The latter being a group of Christian men who sing at various churches in the area, donating proceeds to various local projects, having raised to date $626,808.

Serving the community in a multitude of ways, he is the owner of Lexington’s former Bank of America building which houses the Chamber of Commerce, Missouri License Bureau and other various businesses. Furthermore, as but one example of his many caring acts of kindness, he helped one of Lexington’s local citizens obtain their work visa in order to remain with their family, being a productive, participating member in the community.

Beyond that, and in a private, discreet manner, it is common knowledge that he has quietly helped many of the community facing all manner of personal difficulties.

When asked of all of his undertakings he smiled at the use of that word, responding, “One of my proudest accomplishments was in establishing a Christmas Remembrance service which gives families, who have lost someone, a time to honor this person. The funeral home continues this tradition today. Beyond that, I have striven to provide honest, caring compassion to all with whom I dealt. Having sold my businesses to Austin Ledford — of my team for six years — I believe that is his goal as well.”

Pushed further as to what led to his so very, active, local service, he replied, “I love and care greatly for this community which, years ago, welcomed me into it with welcome arms and, accordingly, I have always striven to give a hand to those in need, rather than asking for a hand out.”

About the parade

The parade lineup begins at 1 p.m. at 13th and Franklin again this year. Everyone is welcome. There is no preregistration or fees; simply get in the back of the line.

For more information, please contact parade organizers Taffy Morgan or Lacey Hahn at 660-232-2035 or by email at taffym1969@yahoo.com