Wayne Gott

Wayne Gott was born September 28, 1931, in Crossroads, Missouri to Bryan and Hattie (Hazen) Gott. He was the youngest of seven children and spent his childhood in Crossroads, Missouri. Wayne graduated from Ava High School with the class of 1949. Wayne was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Betty Fleetwood, on January 11, 1950, in Ava, Missouri, and together shared sixty years of marriage before her passing July 4, 2010. Wayne and Betty were blessed with two sons: Dennis and Roger. Wayne later married Claudette “Kim” Imbeault on July 27, 2018, at the First Baptist Church Salem and shared three years of laughter and memories. To this union, he gained four children: Lisa, David, Mark, and Andrew. Wayne became an entrepreneur at a young age. With a gift from his father he bought a milk truck and hauled milk in the mornings and built tombstones at night. In 1954, he sold his business, and with money loaned from his father, Wayne opened his first store as Gott’s General Store in Bradleyville, Missouri. In 1962, Wayne and Betty moved to Salem to open the first Town & Country Supermarket. Over the years, Wayne was involved in acquiring additional stores through a partnership with Max Penner and Bob Hufford and individually which added up to more than seventy stores. In 2012, Wayne was inducted into the Missouri Grocers Association Hall of Fame. It was in the early ’70s when Wayne started in the banking field, with his first bank being in Seymour. Wayne purchased what is now known as Town and Country Bank in 1993 and serves eight Missouri communities. Wayne was very active and a strong leader in the communities he served. He greeted everyone with a giant welcoming smile and enjoyed getting to know the families he encountered. Wayne was a generous contributor to multiple projects, but most particularly enjoyed helping promote the Meramec Music Theatre. Wayne loved music, he loved to sing and listen to the Southern Gospel Quartet. He accepted Christ at the age of nine and was a strong believer willing to share his faith in God with others. Wayne was a longtime and active member of the First Baptist Church Salem where for a time served as the song leader and deacon. Wayne was a firm believer in higher Christian education and supporter of the Salem SBU Campus. He had a heart of gold; he loved Jesus and was blessed by blessing others. In his younger years, Wayne liked antique cars and attending car shows. He was a St. Louis Cardinals Fan and loved watching his sons and grandson participate in sports and granddaughters in cheerleading. Some of his fondest memories were those watching Andy Griffith with his granddaughter. His family was most important to him, and he truly valued spending time together, especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wayne departed this life November 30, 2021, in Rolla, Missouri at the age of ninety years. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, loving wife Kim Gott of Salem, MO; son: Roger Gott of Salem, MO; step-children: Lisa Wulff and husband Steve of Salem, MO, David Wynn and wife Melissa of Salem, MO, Mark Wynn and Kristi of Salem, MO, Andrew Wynn and wife Catherine of Salem, MO; grandchildren: Amber Polizzi and husband Joe, Lindsey deGreck and husband Tom, and Nathaniel Gott; step-grandchildren: Darian Gowdy and husband Rob, Dawson Wynn, Eavie Wynn, and Sadie Wynn; great-grandchildren: Maria, Lydia, Darci, and Ruby; special friends: Carl and Frankie Eichenberger; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends. Preceding him in death, wife of sixty years: Betty Gott; son: Dennis Gott; parents: Bryan and Hattie Gott; and siblings: Lola Girard, Shelby Gott, Georgia Mathes, Millard Gott, Mabel Adams, and Wallace Gott. Wayne was an influential icon in the community. He was witty, kind, courteous, and very friendly. His wisdom and influence will continue to bless the legacy he leaves behind. Wayne will be forever missed. Funeral Services for Wayne Gott were held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at First Baptist Church Salem with Pastor Phil Newcom officiating. Nathan Gott shared the obituary and Joe Polizzi shared the eulogy. Congregational Hymns “When We All Get To Heaven” and “Victory In Jesus” were led by Pastor David Hancock. Special music was provided by Lisa Wulff singing two songs. Ann Emory was the pianist. Serving as Pallbearers were Nathan Gott, Joe Polizzi, Tom deGreck, Mark Wynn, David Wynn, and Andrew Wynn. Honorary Pallbearers were Buzz Powell, Glen Sapaugh, Jack Hayes, Carl Eichenberger, Gene Barnes, and Gary Medlock. Burial was in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Salem, Missouri. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Wayne Gott to First Baptist Church Salem or donors choice and left at Wilson Mortuary. Condolences may be left at www.wilsonmortuary.com

Wayne Gott

September 28, 1931 - November 30, 2021