Kenneth James Gauthier

Kenneth James Gauthier, 92, passed away at Oak Pointe of Monett & Compassus Hospice on April 20, 2021. He was born in Forsyth, Mich. on Nov. 23, 1928 and lived the majority of his early life in Little Lake, Mich.
He joined the Navy when he was 20, and traveled the world. He earned two Bronze stars, and six Good Conduct Medals, Navy Occupation Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. During his service he achieved the rank of Machinist’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer. He retired active duty after 20 years and transferred to the Navy Reserves for his final 10 years before discharge.
He finished two years of education at City College in San Diego, after which he began employment in the private sector, first at Motorola in Arizona, followed by 15 years at Huber Construction as the shop superintendent. He retired to Purdy where he bought land and started a goat ranch which he worked for 20 years. He eventually moved to Monett.
Gauthier was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Ida Gauthier; siblings, Rena Lane, Effie Larsen, Joyce Larsen, Robert Gauthier, Benjamin Gauthier, William Gauthier, and Allen Gauthier, as well as two wives, Syble and Colleen.
He is survived by four children, Sandra Jackson, Sheila (Celso) Chavez, Barry (Janice) Gauthier and Patricia (Mark) Jackson. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.