Gene Davault was born January 31, 1928 in Redbird, Mo. the son of the late Rainey F. and Iva (Gray) Davault and passed away May 18, 2010 at the St. James Golden Living Center. He was 82 years, three months, 18 days of age.

He attended Bland High School, wore #12 on their basketball team, and graduated in 1946. The team played various high schools and always played in the St. James Tournament, where he met the love of his life, Cordelia Hale. They married June 7, 1947, at the First Baptist Church, St. James; and their love affair lasted nearly 63 years.

Gene worked for Brown Shoe Company and the City of Owensville, Mo. before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, 1951-1954. He was assigned to the Navy Air Command out of Whitbey Island, Washington with a P2V Bomber Unit; spent a year in Japan patrolling Korea. Gene graduated from Molar Barber College, Memphis, TN in 1955. He began barbering at Ft. Leonard Wood; then opened Gene's Barber Shop in Owensville. He gave little ones their first haircut along with a picture at no charge. In 1970 Gene became the first barber the Veteran's Home ever had, retiring after 21 years there.

Locally Gene was known as "The Bike Man". He refurbished used and broken bicycles, making them look new again. He usually had 50 - 60 bicycles to donate to Division of Social Services at Christmas to be given to needy children. His motto was every little boy and girl wants a bike. The St. James Chamber of Commerce honored Gene by presenting him the Youth Plaque of the Year Award. He received a Crystal Plaque from Al West Chrysler that same year for Caring for Missouri's Children.

In 2005 Gene was the recipient of Missouri's Recognition of Military Service at Fort Leonard Wood with Full Military honors.

Gene was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, St. James, where he served as Trustee and Usher and served wherever they lived. Ushering was his favorite as he greeted the people - always with a smile, handshake, and a pat on the back as they entered to worship. In earlier years he helped clean the cabins and campgrounds for the summer youth camps, and even transported youth to and from the camps before buses became a part of the church.

Gene believed strongly in helping his fellowman who was suffering severe health and financial problems with whatever was needed. Everything he did was because he had a personal relationship with his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

He and Cordelia were blessed with two sons, Eric and Kevin, four granddaughters and one grandson. Gene is survived by his wife, Cordelia Davault of St. James; Sons Eric Davault of St. James and Kevin Davault of St. Clair, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-In-Law Bonnie Collier, Desoto, Mo., Peggy Schebaum, Wildwood, Mo, many nieces, nephews, friends, and a special Siamese/Lynx cat, Pretty Girl.

Those preceding him in death were his parents, brother Arthur, sister: Helen (Davault) ; Brother-in-laws: John Collier, Don Schebaum and Guy Kinsey; father and mother-in-Law, Everett and Zelma Smith.

Services
Gene Davault was in state Thursday May 20, 2010 from 4-8 pm at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

Funeral Service were conducted 11:00 a.m.Friday May 21, 2010 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James with Jerry Baumann, Bob Knight and Harry Pryor officiating. Vocalist was Stephen Brubaker and Jeanette Ashley at the organ. Pallbearers will be Eric and Kevin Davault, Patrick Davault, Steve Jackson, Glinn Lovins and John L. Watkins and Honorary Pallbearers were: Ken Sego; Ellis Copeland; George Weaver; Lyman Skyles; Ivan Sieber; Bill Bisso; Ralph Marsch; Dan Smith; A.C. Harris; John Staples; David Pierce; Jeffery Weeks; and Bruce Collier. Burial was in the St. James Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Memorial maybe given to the First Baptist Church of St. James or the Tri-County Humane Society of St. James.

Arrangements was under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.