Gerald L. Bayless

Gerald L. Bayless, 85, of Labadie, MO, passed away Friday, January 23, 2026.

 Gerald was born July 6, 1940, to the late Austie Wilson Bayless and Lillie Mae nee Brower on a dairy farm in rural Springfield Mo. He professed his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized in the fall of 1952.  He was a 1958 graduate of Willard High School.

On August 17, 1963, he was united in marriage to Dixie Lane at Tatum Chapel Baptist church in rural Springfield.  They shared nearly 62 years together until her death in 2025.

He served in the Army Reserve as a helicopter mechanic from 1962-68.  Gerald graduated from Southwest Missouri State College (MSU) in 1962.  He worked as an accountant for a few companies before finishing his career as the CFO for Pauwels Transformers in Washington.

Gerald was very active in the community, serving on the Washington Park Board, the Town and Country Fair Board, Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and on the Advisory Board to the Superintendent of Washington Schools.  He ran the Blue Jay basketball scoreboard for over 40 years.  He also enjoyed singing with the Combined Christian Choir of Washington.  He was a member of the Elks and Lions Clubs.  He earned the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for his work with the Lions Club.  The National Award is the highest form of recognition for Lions Club Members.  He also served on the State Chamber of Commerce for Missouri.

He loved being a father to his two sons, and Papa to his granddaughters.  He was thrilled when he was promoted to Big Papa by the birth of his great-grandson.

Gerald had many stories of growing up in the Ozarks, blaming all of his shenanigans on a fictional character, ole’ Billy Ned.  He was kind, gentle, and always a lot of fun.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie. His parents and four siblings and their spouses: Ralph (Marion) Bayless, Loren (Lina Mae) Bayless, Dorothy (Walter) Pridgen, and Helen (William) Smith also preceded him in death.

Gerald is survived by his sons:Steven (Janet) Bayless of Camdenton, Mo and Mark (Julie) Bayless of Washington; his grandchildren Elane (James) Ennis, Jamie (Dillon) Payne, and Kathrine Pence, and one great-grandson Benjamin Ennis.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

Interment will be at 11 a.m., Monday, February 2, at the Clear Creek Cemetery in rural Springfield, Missouri.  

Memorials may be made to the Washington Lions Club or the WHS Athletic Boosters.  The Bayless family is being served by Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

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