John Cameron Gezel

John Cameron Gezel, age 65, of Livingston, Texas passed away on November 15, 2011 after a courageous battle of fighting chemotherapy/radiation complications at in Pharr, TX. He was born September 20, 1946, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and grew up in Pella, Iowa, a Dutch community. After graduating Pella High School in 1964, he attended American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines, Iowa, in the field of computer programming/data processing. In February 1966, he entered the Air Force and served in Denver, CO, Texas, and Little Rock Air Force Base. He served with the Air Force for 3 years, 10 months. He was a member of the American Legion Post #89 of Pella, Iowa. He was a Senior Systems Analyst for 40 years in his career in computer programming with BNSF Railway (formerly Burlington Northern). Prior to that, he worked for C&S (Colorado & Southern) Railroad. He enjoyed helping any and all that he worked with. They would always look to him for assistance and he gladly gave it. Having retired in 2005, he and his wife, Sherry sold their home and pursued their dream of travelling full-time in their motor home (RV). He loved to travel and meet new people. John enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren. He wanted them to share in his knowledge of life. He was their protector. John taught them how to fish and put on worms even instead of fishing himself. He was everyones handyman and enjoyed fixing things around the house. If there was a stubborn problem, he always figured it out. Other hobbies he had throughout his life were, boating, water skiing, attending Sprint car races, scuba diving. John was a very caring, devoted, loving father, son, brother and husband. No one would ever forget him and strangers would always come up and talk to him, he was so personable. He married Nancy Kay (Hiddleson) Gezel in June 1966 with whom he shared 19 years of marriage. They brought two precious daughters, Amy and Melanie, into the world. He was later united in marriage with Sherry LuCreta (Wade) Gezel at Silver Dollar City, Missouri, in October 1986. John was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy (Findlay) Gezel in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Sherry; two daughters, Amy Ann Gezel of Apple Valley, MN; Melanie Kay Gezel-Rangel and husband John Andrew Rangel of Shakopee, MN; grandchildren Brandon Justice Gezel, Cameron Jelis Gezel, Victoria Ann Gezel; Jasper Zane Rangel; and, his father Gary Walter Gezel of Pella, IA. He is also survived by his sister Linda Ann (Gezel) Sutton and husband Robert William Sutton of Jamestown, RI; and Janet Kay (Gezel) Sharp of Pella, IA; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends and relatives. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 1:00-2:30pm at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. Graveside services will be held at 10:00am, Monday morning, November 21, 2011 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, Missouri under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home. AMVETS Post #114 of Flemington, Missouri will provide full Military Honors and Pallbearers at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Institute of Business (Des Moines, IA) c/o the Butler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 11, Bolivar, MO. 65613. John has always been a supporter of this charity and business. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com. PDF Printable Version

John Cameron Gezel

September 20, 1946 - November 15, 2011