Carl Gene Messner, 51, peacefully passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in the company of his wife and children after a courageous four and a half year battle with cancer. He was born December 3, 1966 to Leon and Carolyn (Phillips) Messner in Albany, Missouri .

As a child, Carl was very involved in 4-H and FFA where his passion for raising and showing cattle and sheep grew. He enjoyed showing at the local, state and national level. Carl was also very active in high school sports where he ran track, played basketball, and received All-State honors for football. In addition, Carl was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in various other activities.

After high school, Carl attended the University of Missouri where he majored in Agriculture Economics and minored in Agronomy. There he met his college sweetheart and the love of his life Kerri Lamp. They were united in marriage on August 6, 1988 in Chillicothe, Missouri. On campus Carl was involved in the Farmhouse Fraternity, was a founding member of the Mizzou Collegiate Farm Bureau, a CAFNR ambassador, and many other activities. Carl's love for the crop industry began while planting and harvesting research plots in Sanborn Field. His passion led to his first job working for Golden Harvest. He then transitioned to working for Pioneer as a District Seed Sales Manager. After 21 years at Pioneer, Carl began working for GFG Ag Services in Albany, Missouri as the company's Seed Sales Manager. He specialized in Pioneer products. This brought him closer to home, which allowed him to devote more time doing what he loved the most, raising Angus cattle and promoting youth in agriculture across the state.

Carl was a devoted member of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association where he served on the board, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the American Angus Association, the American Simmental Association, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, as well as many others. His main focus was supporting boards and committees that helped better the future generations in agriculture and the youth in his hometown.

He enjoyed being the voice of the Warriors during football season and helping coach various teams during his daughters' time in school. He was a great mentor and coach to many people in all areas of his life and appreciated those who had guided him in the same way.

Survivors include his wife Kerri; his three daughters, Kourtne and husband Matthew Parker of Kansas City, Missouri, Blayre of Columbia, Missouri and Kayce of the home; his parents Leon and Carolyn Messner of Albany, Missouri; 1 brother, Norman and wife Debbie Messner of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and 2 sisters, Janice and husband Richard Rusick of Highland, Utah; and Jackie and husband Matt Jameson of Cameron, Missouri; father-in-law, Don Lamp, Chillicothe, Missouri; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Earnest and Thelma Messner, Carl and Rosella Phillips, and his mother-in-law Sharon Lamp.

Funeral Service:  1:00 PM Tuesday, April 3 at the National Guard Armory, Albany, Missouri.  Burial will be in the Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri.  The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 PM Monday evening at the Armory.  In lieu of flower arrangements memorial contributions can be made to Kayce Messner Education Fund or to G.R.O.W.S., a memorial fund for future generations of youth in agriculture in care of the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO  64402.  Online Condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com