Dwight” Skeeter” Edward Gastel passed away on Tuesday April 6, 2021. He was born on January 16, 1947 in Lamar, MO to Leonard and Gladys (Patterson) Gastel. He was raised in Boston, MO where he went to school through the 7th grade. He then went to Jasper High School and graduated in 1965.
He went to work after graduation building Highway 71 with his cousin’s construction company, Clarkson Construction. He then moved to Kansas City, worked construction, and joined the National Guard where he served until he was called into active-duty military service.
While active he earned many medals and awards including the Purple Heart. He also earned the Army Commendation Medal for his heroic maneuvers during a military operation near the Que Son Valley. When he returned from active duty, he returned to Kansas City and worked on construction projects including the Royal’s Stadium.
During that time Skeeter met the love of his life at Judy’s Café in Jasper, MO. Kay Casey met him there and knew immediately that she needed to know him better. They married in Miami, OK and remained married for the next 50 years.
They moved to the Boston, MO area for a couple of years before buying their home in Golden City, MO. He worked for Kaufman Construction on many jobs and then worked as a foreman and did electrical maintenance for O’Sullivan Industries for almost 30 years.
When O’Sullivan closed, he became a self-employed electrician. He was always available regardless of the day or time to help people, often not charging them for the work. He was generous with his time and his skill and will be missed by his community and family for the richness he brought to their lives. Skeeter and Kay raised a family together which brought about the biggest joy of his life, grandchildren.
There was a visible difference in his posture and disposition as soon as one of the grandchildren came near. He taught them how to play checkers, without cheating, and had a special handshake that his grandsons tried to outdo him on. His granddaughter told him that she hoped to marry a guy just like him and that he resembled the perfect man. She told him she was able to look up to her dad because of the way he had raised him. His family adored him as much as he did them.
He is survived by his wife; sons, Rick (Tammie) Gastel of Lockwood, MO, Brad (Amber) Gastel of Dewey, OK, and Brian Gastel of Jasper, MO; and grandchildren, Mason, Maddox, Reed, Layne, Kruz, Kase, Addison, Madelyn, Gracie and Kenidi. He is also survived by his siblings, Doris (Ray) Little of Lamar, MO, Janet (Steve) Diggs of Lamar, MO, Kenny (Arvilla) Gastel of Rock Island, IL, James (Jeannie) Gastel of Jasper, MO; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Gastel of Lamar, MO, Ellen Gastel of WA, and Judy Gastel of Lamar, MO, and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
Skeeter is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Keith Gastel, Richard Gastel, and Gary Gastel.
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