John Howard Ousley

John Howard Ousley, 91, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Mo. John was born March 11, 1928, in Callaway County Missouri, the sone of John Henry Ousley and Velma May (Coots) Ousley. He attended Pleasant Grove Elementary School and Jefferson City High School. John enlisted in the U.S. Navy the fall of 1945, the beginning of a 30 year career. John trained to be an Air Traffic Controller Instructor in Naval Training Schools, and wrote exams for potential Air Traffic Controllers and attained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer before his retirement in 1975. He served during the end of WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam. Following his naval career, he attended Lincoln University for his B.S. degree in Business Administration. John was employed 13 years at MOSERS before retiring in 1993. John married Dorothy May Smith in 1949. To this union was born a son, Keith Ousley, who survives. Dorothy accompanied John on all his assignments in the Navy with the exception of 27 months aboard the U.S.S. Hancock, an aircraft carrier. Dorothy passed away from cancer in 1999. John later married Evelyn Johnson, who survives of the home. They made their home in Marshfield, Mo. until 2016, when they relocated in Jefferson City, Mo. John was a member of First Baptist Church of Marshfield. His current membership is Concord Baptist Church. John was a 60 year plus 32 degree Mason with Gardner Lodge, Gardner Kan.; a lifetime member of VFW Post 1003; longtime member of American Legion Post No. 5, Jefferson City, Mo.; a current member of Gideons International Jefferson City Camp. John is survived by: a sister, Fay Rains, of Fulton, Mo.; three granddaughters, Kelsey and Kimberly Ousley, Cheri (Paul) Kirsch, Jefferson City, Mo.; three great-grandsons, Sion James Kirsch, John Joseph Kirsch and Athan Alaxander Kirsch of Jefferson City, Mo. John was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Paul Louis Ousley, James Thomas (Tommy) Ousley and Emit Kenneth (Rusty) Ousley; a special uncle Emit Coots Sr. John is also survived by Evelyn's children, Mike (Debbie) Johnson, Donald (Brenda) Johnson, Centertown Mo; Rev. Russell (Pam) Johnson, Granby, Mo., Cori (Eric) May, Linn, Mo.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a special niece, Joyce Bernard, Leavenworth, Kan., and a special nephew, Jeff (Karla) Riley of Rogersville, Mo., as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. with a funeral service immediately following at 11:30 a.m., all at the funeral home. Officiating will be Dr. Monte Shinkle. Burial will be at the California Masonic Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Concord Baptist Church or Gideons International Jefferson City Camp. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, 100 S Oak, California, MO 65018.