Cyrus Jesse Gahr

Cyrus Jesse Gahr of St. James, MO passed away Friday afternoon December 11, 2020 at the Parkside Senior Living in Rolla, MO. He was 97 years of age.

Jesse was born July 25, 1923 in Steelville, MO the son of the late Cyrus Eugene and Gertrude Amelia Butt Gahr. Jesse lost his mother at an early age and was raised by his Aunt Ada who passed away many years ago.

Jesse, married Mabel Maleece Baker, she entered into rest December 2, 2014 and then married Mildred L. Cowan Wilson. She entered into rest July 21, 2018.

He is survived by his two children: Nikki Gahr Sells and her husband Robert of Franklin, TN and Jon Scott Gahr and his wife Barbara of St. James. MO along with half sister Fern Gahr of Steelville, MO , 6 grandchildren: Wes, Nickole, Aaron, Jennifer, Angela and Jesse and 17 great-grandchildren.

Jesse was a true gentleman. He was always dressed to perfection regardless of the event for that day, even after his retirement at the Parkside in Rolla, Jesse was always wore a starched shirt with cuff-links with a tie and a jacket. He was born and raised and attended school in Steelville, MO, and work in the summer months at the Jonas Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. On September 21, 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy and saw active duty in WWII in the South Pacific on USS Murray DD 576. After his Honorable Discharge he attended the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science and graduated December 18, 1948. He moved to St. Clair, MO, where he met and married his first wife Mabel Baker Gahr, and worked for the Kitchell Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO. He moved from St. Clair, MO to St. James and opened the Jesse Gahr Funeral Home on Sunday June 25, 1950, where he and his wife Mabel operated for 22 years. After a wonderful career at Hoffmeister Mortuary in St Louis and Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, MO, he came back home and worked for Richard and Deanna Jones, at Jones Funeral Home where he originally open his funeral home. Jesse Gahr held a funeral Directors and Embalmers License for 69 years. Jesse was the only person in the state of Missouri to hold dual license for that amount of time. He loved people and loved to help people through the most difficult times of there lives. He never forgot a face or a name. He saw many changes in life and in the funeral business but never lost the focus of serving families regardless of circumstances. He will be greatly missed.

Jesse Gahr will have a public visitation Monday December 14, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

Due to Covid-19 the family has requested a Private Funeral Tuesday morning December 15, 2020 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James with Don Carson officiating. Linda Spurgeon will sing and play the piano along with Alli Herron, vocalist. Masonic Rite will begin the service followed by the funeral Service. Burial will be at the St. James Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Memorials are suggested to the Church of God Building Fund.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

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