Paul Gasperson

Paul Norman Gasperson, son of the late Elza and Ann (Strong) Gasperson, was born June 22, 1933, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and departed this life November 4, 2020, at his home in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was 87 years, 4 months, and 13 days of age.

Paul grew up in the Mountain Grove area and graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1951. Shortly after graduation, Paul and his father moved to California and then Kansas, working as plumbers for a short time. He also worked at McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri, for a short time in the summer of 1952, before he decided to return home and go into business for himself. They soon moved back to Mountain Grove and opened Gasperson Plumbing in the fall of 1952, which he owned and operated for the next 26 years.

While Paul was still in high school, he was helping his father put in electricity in the Nielsen home in 1949. This is where he caught the eye of the Nielsen’s daughter, Christine. Paul married Christine Nielsen on October 20, 1951.

Paul and Christine purchased their first 80 acres just west of Mountain Grove, in 1957, and that was home until he moved on to his eternal home.

In 1975, Paul built Missouri Park Campground on their land west of Mountain Grove, and he went on to get his real estate license that same year. Paul sold his plumbing business in 1976, and he and his son, Gary, later opened Gasperson Realty in 1979. Paul had owned and operated a business in Mountain Grove for 49 years.

Paul loved his work, but he also loved to have a good time. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. He loved traveling around the country with Christine. Throughout their lives together, they have traveled in their motorhome to all of the 48 contiguous states.

Paul was saved and baptized at age 17 and was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Mountain Grove where he served as Trustee for many years.

Besides his parents, Paul was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Fred Archer, two sisters, Barb Atkisson and Jean Wake, and one brother, Jerry Gasperson.

Survivors include his loving wife of 69 years, Christine Gasperson, one daughter, Daisy Archer and Ken Loney of Mountain Grove, one son, Gary Gasperson and wife, Kaye, of Mountain Grove, three grandchildren, Chris Archer and wife, Varsin, of San Antonio, Texas, Laura Fry and husband, Thad, of Mountain Grove, and Danny Gasperson and wife, Rosalie, of Mountain Grove, nine great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him greatly.