Gail O. Gish

Gail O. Gish, age 86, passed away and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 1, 2018, following a lengthy illness. Service will be Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Lee’s Summit Christian Church (DOC). The visitation begins at 10AM, and the memorial service at 11AM. The church is located at 800 NE Tudor Road, Lee’s Summit. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Lee’s Summit Christian Church (DOC) or to the Crossroads Palliative Care and Hospice.

Gail was born July 24, 1932 in Beloit, Kansas to Owen and Edna (Rising) Gish. His family moved to Kansas City in 1940, where they settled in the Northeast area. Gail graduated from Central High School in Kansas City in 1952, and after several brief work experiences, he served in the United States Navy for four years. In the Navy his strong mechanical skills led him to be assigned to sheet metal work on airplanes in California.

Gail was introduced to his future wife, Mildred, by a mutual friend. Gail married Mildred McLean on December 26, 1958, in Raytown, Missouri. This union was blessed with three children: a daughter Laura, and two sons, Randy and Bryant.

Gail was a lifelong member of the Christian Church, including the Central Christian Church in Kansas City, Blue Ridge Blvd. Christian Church, and the Lee’s Summit Christian Church where he volunteered his services.

Gail was very adept with mechanical things, both in his vocation and his hobby of model railroading. He was a self-taught machinist. He worked for many years as a technician with Addressagraph-Multigraph and Moore Business Forms. Gail enjoyed the challenge in the variety that these repair and service responsibilities brought his way.

Gail’s railroading moved from the “HO” scale to the “O” scale, and then to building live 1 in 12 scale narrow gauge steam engines to run on tracks on his property. Hundreds of guests, including many hobbiests from across the country enjoyed riding on Gail’s outdoor railroad layout – over 3000 feet of track! Amazingly, Gail hand-crafted narrow gauge steam engines and rolling stock from scratch!

Gail was a long-term member of the Friends of the Cumbres and Toitet Scenic Railroad in Colorado and New Mexico. Many trips were taken there both to gather exact dimensions of the original equipment and to volunteer to maintain aging narrow gauge railroad equipment and property.

Gail will be remembered for is quiet and gentle spirit and his love and devotion to his family. Although he will be dearly missed, his life and spirit will be carried on through his family and friends! Gail was known for his kindness, humility, patience, and acceptance – qualities that made him a good husband and father.

Gail is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mildred; his daughter Laura (Andrew) Fox of Kansas City; his son Randall (Lori) Gish of Blue Springs; and his son Bryant (Stephanie) Gish of Lee’s Summit; five grandchildren: Ragan Gish, Logan Gish, Morgan Gish, Owen Gish and Sydney Gish. Gail is also survived by his sister, Evelyn (Robert) Winger of Mesa, AZ; his brother in law Mark (Nancy) McLean of Vallejo, CA; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Service will be Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Lee’s Summit Christian Church (DOC). The visitation begins at 10AM, and the memorial service at 11AM. The church is located at 800 NE Tudor Road, Lee’s Summit.