Basil C. Gaulding, 95
Funeral and graveside services for Basil C. Gaulding, 95, of Westworth, South Dakota, formerly of Kansas City and Ozark County, were held Nov. 14, 2020, at Terrace Park Funeral Home in Kansas City with Pastor A.D. Ellison, a long-time family friend, officiating. Mr. Gaulding died peacefully on Nov. 3 in Madison, South Dakota.
He was born Dec. 8, 1924, in Kansas City, the son of Jesse H. and Hattie J. Trent Gaulding. After his family moved to Ozark County, Basil began elementary school at the Oak Dale School in Nottinghill. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1942.
In early 1945, Mr. Gaulding joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii, where he became the supervisor of a motor pool of 100 vehicles. After being honorably discharged in late 1946, he returned to the Ozarks, where he met his future wife, Lois Bernadean “Dean” Crawford. They were married June 25, 1947, and moved to Kansas City, where they raised their family.
Mr. Gaulding began a lifetime career when he apprenticed as a proofer at Kansas City Engraving and Colorplate Company. He worked there until he bought his own photo engraving shop, Heisler Engraving Co., in 1964. He operated his business for 23 years, retiring in 1987.
An avid hunter and fisherman, Mr. Gaulding loved the outdoors. He especially liked to hunt turkeys and devised his own turkey call using a corn cob and cedar striker to create yelps and clucks on a piece of handheld slate. He had a special gift with animals, especially dogs and horses. One of his hobbies was participating in field trials; his bird dog, Blondie, was the 1964 amateur regional champion.
Mr. Gaulding’s greatest loves were the women in what he called his own “Petticoat Junction,” his wife and daughters. He and Mrs. Gaulding enjoyed raising cattle and gardening. His daughter Lecia learned from him by working at Heisler during the summers, and his daughter Paula loved showing horses with her dad, who was also her best friend. In his later years, “PawPaw” enjoyed watching his grandsons play baseball and sharing lemon drops with his great-grandchildren.
Though he was quiet about his faith in God, Mr. Gaulding could often be found reading his Bible each morning. His warm smile, quick wit and cheerful laugh will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his children, Lecia Summerer and husband Robert, and Paula Land and husband Ty; his grandchildren, Tim Summerer and wife Mallory, Andrew Summerer, Abrienne Summerer, Corey Land and Codey Land; and three great-grandchildren, Finnley, Milo and Evie Summerer.
He was preceded in death by Bernadean, his wife of 72 years; his parents; and his siblings and their spouses, Naomi Haskins and husband John, Patricia Risley and husband Ralph, and Earl Gaulding and wife Barbara.
Arrangements by Terrace Park Funeral Home, Kansas City.