Ronald Gwynn Jost

Ronald Gwynn Jost, 68, of Owensville, Missouri, passed away Friday, October 12, 2012, at his home in Owensville. Ron was born in Washington, Missouri on April 16, 1944, a son to Gwynn and Frances (Kottwitz) Jost. On February 3, 1962, he was married to Ruth Estes at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Owensville. Ron was a member of the St. Peter's United Church of Christ and former Deacon, Board Member, and Treasurer for the Church. He was a lifetime member of the Gasconade County Historical Society; member of the Owensville Chamber of Commerce, Moose Lodge, Farm Bureau, Owensville Gun Club; and a retired member of Owensville Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years and former Assistant Chief, Owensville Lions Club (Past President), Owensville Jaycees (Past President & Charter Member), and Owensville Park Board. Ronald Jost was the Presiding Commissioner of Gasconade County since 2003. He successfully maintained a balanced budget for Gasconade County, without tax increases, borrowings or any county layoffs. During his terms in office he collaborated with agencies to establish funding and grants which improved the county infrastructure, including repaving roads and adding bridges, provided low-income housing with funding coordinated with Phelps County, and secured funding for building and public access improvements at the county courthouse. He served as board member of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, Meramec Regional Workforce Investment Board, and the Missouri Ozarks Community Action, Co-Chairman Meramec Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, and Chairman of Phelps County Public Housing Advisory Board. Prior to his elected role as Presiding Commissioner, Ron was a successful local businessman and co-owner of Jost Tire Company, where he worked for over 40 years. For over 20 years Ron managed and expanded the wholesale business, distributing tires throughout Central Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his mother, Frances Jost of Owensville; son, Terry Jost and his wife Sandy of Wildwood, Missouri; daughter, Linda Baehr, and her husband Steve; brother, Don Jost and his wife Suzie, all of Owensville; two sisters, Connie Graves and her husband Bill and Bonnie Gibson and her husband Jim, both of Jefferson City; a brother-in-law, Bob Estes of Rosebud, Missouri; and six grandchildren, Hannah Baehr, Lauren Baehr, Katie Jost, Stephanie Jost, Leland Richardson, and Bruce Richardson. He was preceded in death by his father, Gwynn E. Jost. Funeral services were held on Monday, October 15, 2012, at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home of Owensville with Reverend Terry Knight and Pastor Chris Ross officiating. Burial was in the Owensville City Cemetery in Owensville. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family's choice may be sent to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, 108 South Second Street, Owensville, Missouri, 65066.