Jun 5, 2008

Paul Lawrence DeGase, age 78, of Squires, Mo., passed away at home after a long illness on May 31, 2008. Paul was born Sept. 12, 1929 on a farm in Ozark County, Mo., to Jim and Velma (Gray) DeGase. He attended elementary school at Clark, and graduated from high school at Ava, Mo., in 1948. He attended Southwest Missouri State for two years and then taught for three terms at local rural schools at Pleasant Hill and Excelsior. Paul served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 thru 1955, and was stationed in England and Norway. After his years of military service, Paul attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. Paul went into private Veterinary practice in Potosi, Mo., and then later was employed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service for 21 years. He retired from government service in September 1989 to his farm in Squires, where he continued his love of cattle ranching for many years. Paul accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and became a member of the Liberty General Baptist Church at Isabella, Mo. Paul was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Hedrick DeGase of Reeds Spring, Mo., to whom he was married on Dec. 28, 1950 in Wasola, Mo. He is survived by one son, Paul Douglas DeGase and his fiancé, Judy McColloch, Potosi, Mo.; one daughter, Deborah Lynn DeGase, Gainesville, Mo.; one brother, James DeGase and wife, Karen, Ava, Mo.; two nephews, Greg DeGase and wife, Joyce, and Jeff DeGase and wife, Kelly; and one niece, Sherri Vaughan and husband, Shane. Paul leaves many other relatives and friends. Services for Paul were held Tuesday, June 3, at 10 a.m., in Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Jeff Alcorn officiating. Interment followed in Murray Cemetery with full military honors by American Legion Post 112 and VFW Post 5993. The family requests memorials to Murray Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.