Michael Vincent Lunardini, age 59, joyfully joined Christ on December 22, 2023 following his third bout with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family at home.
Michael was born on September 15, 1964, in Jackson, MS. He was a 1983 graduate of St. Joseph High School. He was a star athlete and received the Most Valuable Player award in football, basketball, baseball and soccer during his senior year. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Southern Mississippi in 1987.
Michael met his future wife, Gay Pepper, when they were both volunteers at a fundraiser for the Mississippi Paralysis Association in 1992. They married in 1993.
When the gaming industry came to Mississippi, he jumped at the chance to deal in the casinos. Card games had always been an important tradition of the Lunardini family. He became an asset reallocation specialist (meaning he dealt poker!) for 25 years at Pearl River Resorts in Philadelphia, MS. Many players said it was a pleasure to play at his table because he was so good at his job, and he used his quick wit and extensive colorful vocabulary to keep players in line.
Michael loved visiting theme parks with his family, golfing with his father and brothers, and of course, going to casinos! His favorite pastime was being with his family, eating pizza and watching World War II movies.
Michael was a man of deep faith. He prayed for his family and friends every day. He was kind and generous to others. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.
Michael is survived by his wife, Gay Pepper Lunardini, daughter Gracie Lunardini and son Thomas Lunardini. He is also survived by his parents Robert C. and Susan H. Lunardini; siblings Karen (Gary) Theisen, Robert (Carol Aspros) Lunardini, Susan Victoria “Vicki” Lunardini, William P. Lunardini, Maria A. Lunardini Brown, Kathleen (Yancy) DeMott, and John (Joy Taylor) Lunardini; father-in-law, T.C. Pepper Jr. and brother-in-law, Thomas “Tripp” Pepper III. Michael is survived by 23 nephew and nieces and 30 great-nephew and nieces.
Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Deanna Armstrong Lunardini; his brother, Thomas Lamar Lunardini; paternal grandparents, Virgil and Christine Cavanaugh Lunardini; maternal grandparents, Percy Armstrong, and Eudora and Harold DuRocher; and mother-in-law Sandra Gordon Pepper.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 27 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Sebrell Funeral Home, 425 Northpark Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 28 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s by the Lake Church, 1954 Spillway Road, Brandon, MS 39047.
The family would like to thank Justin Baker, MD of Jackson Oncology Associates and colleagues, Baptist Cancer Center staff, and Compassus Hospice for their diligent care and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to LIFE of MISSISSIPPI, 1304 Vine Street, Jackson, MS 39202, info@lifeofms.com.
