Gerald James Nauss

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Monday, April 1, 2024, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, (6415 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119). Those wishing to watch Mass can click the link to view Gerald’s funeral online beginning at 10 am, April 1, 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/c/StAndrewtheApostleGladstoneMO/featured)

For those unable to attend Mass, the family invites all friends to a time of sharing, gathering, and visiting with military honors and a luncheon at 11:30 AM, across the street at White Chapel Funeral Home, (6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119). Mr. Nauss has been cremated under the direction of White Chapel Funeral Home.

Jerry, known by many as “Shorty,” was born in Kansas City, MO, on January 16, 1940, to Jerry and Helen (Strack) Nauss. He enjoyed an adventurous childhood in the East Bottoms. Stories of his boyhood read like a Mark Twain novel; he and his friends even made a home-made raft which they set sail on the mighty Missouri River. At age 13, Jerry worked from 1 – 5 am at the City Market, loading fruit and vegetables, then, without a license, driving the truck he put them in.

Jerry served his country in the US Army, and was primarily stationed at La Rochelle, France, where, among many duties, he was the Post Security NCO with top secret clearance handling NATO documents. After his military discharge, he bought an engagement ring in Chicago on his way back home to Kansas City, and he put that ring on the finger of Mary Folkers in 1965. They spent the following 58 years together, and raised their two daughters.

Jerry put his curious and inventive mind to work doing research as a laboratory technician for various industries, and spent much of his career testing and helping to develop products for Cook Paint and Varnish Company and Lilly Industries. His greatest pastimes were connected to nature. Jerry grew flowers every spring and hybridized roses to create one-of-a-kind blooms. He cultivated a pecan orchard from seed that flourishes today in Mosby, MO. He enjoyed painting landscapes, watching the news to stay current with world events, and perhaps most of all, visiting and laughing with family, friends, and neighbors.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Jennifer and Monica; brother, Richard; and sister, Elizabeth Kempker.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Kenny.

Those wishing to honor Jerry may make a donation in his memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.