Dale Owen ‘Spud’ Gayman

Dale Owen Gayman, 77, known to friends and family as “Spud,” passed away surrounded by family on Aug. 1, 2019.

Spud was born in Denver, CO, on Nov. 12, 1941, to Lucy Elenor Cruse and Leo Opal Gayman. His family moved to Vernon County when he was only 12 days old. He was baptized by his Grandpa Cruse when he was 10 years old.

He attended Flat Rock school, a one-room country schoolhouse in Vernon County through the 8th grade. In High School he excelled in basketball and baseball.

In 1959, at 17 years old, he joined the Army and served until 1962. He spent 30 months of his military career in Goeppingen, Germany, with the 41st Infantry at Hohenfels enduring some of the worst weather of winter.

Spud was a man of many talents. Whether he was working for the labor unions, evangelizing on a weekly radio program, ministering to a church, running a cafe or raising his cattle; he did it with a joyful heart, to the glory of our Lord and Savior and always with a song.

Spud’s hobby was his family and his family’s business. He loved his children and grandchildren with a fierceness not to be reckoned with. He was a light-hearted jokester that keep us all in stitches with his ability to mix up words and sayings.

His life could be summed up in many ways but first and foremost he kept us all accountable. He would call and needle you to no end if he was worried about you. Regardless of age…5 to 95 he cared about us all.

Devoted husband of 46 years to Lena; loving father of Mark (Roberta), Crystal Bearce, Dennis (Colleen), Jason (Sheree) and Amy (Matt) Armstrong; proud grandfather of Cory (Whitney), Trey (Bella), Lakyn (Jarrod) Fuller, Clay, Savanah, Dalton, Shawn, Trinity, Ethan, Leo, Gabe, Emma, Sophia, Evangeline, Madeline, Mason and Waylon; great-grandfather of Joseph, Morley, Renn, Dylan, Conrad, Logan, Braysen and Owen; brother of Dan Gayman, David Gayman, Marla Applegate, Janet Ijams and Sherrie Dally. Also survived by countless nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A celebration of Spud’s life began at 10 a.m., on Sunday, Aug. 4, at the Church of Israel, 3161 S 2275 Road, Schell City, MO with Pastor Dan Gayman officiating.  Interment with military honors followed in Green Lawn Cemetery.

Those who wish may contribute to the family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.