Gene Onstott

Forest Gene Onstott, age 79, of Lamar, Missouri passed away unexpectedly Sunday, February 8, 2015, at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Gene was born January 27, 1936 in Jasper, Missouri, to William and Ruby (Griffitt) Onstott.  He graduated from Jasper High School in 1953 and studied auto mechanics at Pittsburg State College.  Gene worked as a machinist at King Press in Joplin before founding Empire Gas Company of Lamar.  He and Harry Orahood partnered in 1977 to plan and complete the Orahood-Onstott Development at Stockton Lake. In 1988, he combined his mechanic skills with his interest in heavy equipment to create Gene’s Trenching & Excavation Service and Onstott Trucking.  In addition, he was co-owner and operator of B & O Construction.  Suffering a stroke in 1997, Gene was forced to retire, but he never lost his desire to be of service to others and considered a day on the brush-hog as time very well spent.  An avid outdoorsman and animal lover, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and experiencing nature on his golf-cart or four-wheeler with his dog by his side.  Gene maintained an interest in old tractors, all heavy equipment, and classic cars, which he collected throughout the years.      Gene was preceded in death by his parents, William & Ruby Onstott; parents-in-law, Tom & Mary Blake; a son, Billy Onstott; and a granddaughter, Ashley Jean Onstott.      Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Jan (Blake) Onstott, of the home; three sisters-in-law, Brenda (Ed) Hays, Mustang, Oklahoma, Mary Christine (Robert) Casey, Amarillo, Texas, and Michelle (Phillip) Padgett, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; a brother; two daughters; a large extended family; and his best friend, Hank Thomas.      A memorial service celebrating Gene’s life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Daniel Funeral Home.  Burial will be at a later date.      Memorial contributions are suggested to The Humane Society of Barton County in care of the funeral home.