George James Cauthon of rural St. Clair County passed away, Monday, March 22, 2010 from complications of recently diagnosed pancreatic cancer. George was 81 years old. George was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lula Mae (Baumgardner) Cauthon. George’s wife Mary Elizabeth Veda Cauthon Glaser also preceded him in death. George is survived by his siblings, sisters Jaunita Cauthon Howe of Raytown, MO, Dara Ann Cauthon Howerton, El Dorado Springs, Mo, Vera Cauthon Estes, Clinton, MO and Grace Cauthon Bausch of Florida and brother, Richard Cauthon of Weaubleau, Mo. George’s children are James David Cauthon of Arlington, VA, Bernita Cauthon and Sharon Cauthon, both of Blue Springs, MO. Georges is also survived by loving companion, Ruby Shirk, of the home, nieces, nephews and beloved friends also survive.
George, the 6th child of Fred and Lula Mae (Baumgardner) Cauthon was born on July 14, 1928 on the family farm, near Kings Prairie. George and Mary Beth purchased George’s home place in the early 1970’s building a new home and providing the opportunity for daughters Bernita and Sharon to graduate, as both George and Mary Beth had, from Osceola High School.
During high school, George proposed marriage to Mary Beth while riding home on the school bus. They were married by Rev. Albert Gastin at the Osceola Baptist Church on June 4, 1949. They were attended at their wedding by Mary Beth’s sister, Lettie Mae Todd Thurman and Ted Sink. In June, 1999 George and Mary Beth celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a reception at the Gerster Baptist Church.
George served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Germany. When he was mustered out of the service, Mary Beth drove by herself to Ft. Riley, KS to pick him up. After settling in Kansas City, George spent over 30 years working for Butler Manufacturing Company. George mad many friends among the Butler employees and enjoyed attending the annual Butler picnics.
As one of 9 children, George very much enjoyed the annual Cauthon/Baumgardner Family reunions held at various locations through the years including, while his father Fred was alive, the home place, the park in Clinton and at sister’s Sara ann and Jaunita’s homes.
George loved to sing and grew up listening to and singing along with the Grand Ole’ Opry. He and Mary Beth and later he and Ruby, traveled far and wide to listen to blue grass music. Their most recent trip was to Kentucky.
George never attended an auction where he didn’t run up the bid; never met a Democrat he didn’t like, seemed to like ranching by the light of the moon and never met someone he couldn’t visit with. When the south wind blew just right on King’s Prairie, neighbors could hear him calling his cattle in.
Having worked hard all of his life to provide his family with all of their needs, and some of their wants, George is now at rest and is at last, at peace.
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