Lonnie Lavar Sullivan

Lonnie Lavar Sullivan, lovingly referred to as “Babo”, 74, went to be with our Heavenly Father on January 28, 2024. He was residing in Crawfordville Florida at the time of his passing.

Lavar leaves behind a legacy as a hardworking man, loving husband, devoted father, and a wonderful grandfather.

Ever the part-time outlaw, Lavar was an avid outdoorsman. He spent his younger years raising cane, raising and fighting roosters, and most importantly, raising his children. He was a "pistol of a man". You always knew where you stood with him, good or bad. If he liked you he loved you, if he didn’t, you better watch out! Nobody wanted to cross Babo, especially not “the marine patrol”, which, of course, he crossed paths with a lot! He was feisty.

Babo was born the youngest of six children to Lonnie Sullivan & Josephine Gibson Sullivan, in

Apalachicola on January 13, 1950. He started working before and after school at eight years old at the oyster house with his Mama and Aunts. Babo saw the need to help his family and decided to work instead of finishing school when he was in about the 9th grade. He continued to work fishing and oystering until he enlisted in the US Army at seventeen years old. He served in the Vietnam War before returning to the states.

Babo went on to have two beautiful daughters, Theresa & Tanya, and a son, Trey. He worked hard every day of his life and never let his disability of CMT slow him down at all. CMT is a degenerative nerve disease that causes weakness in muscles and nerve pain. However, Babos fighting spirit is what helped him overcome so much loss and hardship in his life. He never quit.

Babo found and married the love of his life, Trina, and spent nearly forty years with her. Together they spent their later years building a life they loved. They raised their children and grandchildren in a way that each one knew they were loved. Babo and Trina always had a good time picking at each other everywhere they went. They could be found anywhere from going to dinner with Aunt Monk and Uncle Dale to taking off on a drive and ending up anywhere from Chiefland to Oklahoma. Most days they were bickering back and forth all in good fun. You never saw Babo and Trina without their beloved dogs Tiny and later Gracie. They both loved to spoil their grandchildren, although we still aren’t sure who was more spoiled, the grand kids or Gracie.

Babo's life changed on Christmas Eve of 2022 when he lost his beloved Trina. Although he fought a good fight, his life was not the same.

Babo was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lonnie & Josephine; brothers, JW & Henry Sullivan Sr; sisters, Alma Wilson & Clara Lee Osburn; wife, Trina Whitehurst Sullivan; daughter, Theresa Ann Sullivan; granddaughters, Faith Sullivan and Jaylon Rippy.

He is survived by his sister, Annie Mae Wilson; mother-in-law, Bonnie Whitehurst; daughter, Tanya (Waylon) Rippy; son, Trey (Meagan) Millender. He is also survived by his true loves; grandsons, Dillion Grant, Trevor Rippy, Parker Millender, and Laden Glass; granddaughter, Neveah Rippy and great grandson, Preston Cherry. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Along with their families, Trey & Tanya invite all friends and loved ones to join the family in a celebration of life for Babo. There will be a luncheon to follow. The service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 1:00pm EST at the Eastpoint Volunteer Firehouse 24 on 6th Street.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you make a donation to Babo’s favorite charity, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity close to your heart in his name.

Condolences may be submitted at www.comforterfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, FL.