JOHN RAY NORTH

John Ray North, 59, of Gainesville, MO passed away on September 29, 2013 at the Gainesville Healthcare Center. He was born on November 15, 1953 in Gainesville, the son of Everett Ray and Rilla Jane (Davis) North.

John grew up in Gainesville and was a 1971 graduate of Gainesville High School. After graduation, he moved to Springfield, MO and went to work. He then joined the Army and served four years in the National Guard. After his military service, John worked for many years as a Grain Inspector in Lincoln, NE, and later in Sioux City, IA, before eventually returning to Gainesville around 1990. He worked in construction for several years, and most recently worked at the Gassville Nursing Home, where he made many friendships.

John loved playing his guitar. He spent most of his life performing with a band, and even did a little song writing. Music was always a huge part of his life. John loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and going on excursions. He loved taking motorcycle trips with his brother and enjoyed all the scenery along the way. He loved to make people around him enjoy life as well. John had a great sense of humor that only those close to him actually knew about. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his fiancé Sarah Anderson of Gainesville, MO; his children Stephen North and wife Lori of Louisiana, Aaron North of Nebraska, Amy Erving and husband Roosevelt of Minnesota, Christopher Cooper of Missouri and Fawn North and fiancé Austin Strickland of Webb City, MO; eight grandchildren; four siblings Anna Whisnant of Gainesville, Bill Pitcock of Gainesville, Jimmy Pitcock and wife June of California and Tom Pitcock and wife Mary of Gainesville; two cousins Joe Boyer of Gainesville, MO and Robert Davis of Gassville, AR; and many, many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Cora (Blackshear) North and Noble "Mack" and Margaret "Maggie" (Nipps) Davis; his parents Everett and Rilla (Davis) North; and one brother Roy Gene Pitcock.

Funeral services for John will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2013 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel, Gainesville, MO with Dale Roberts officiating. Burial will be in the Lilly Ridge Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Visitation will be Saturday afternoon from 1 p.m. to service time at the funeral home.