Walter Joseph "Jody" Sayre

July 14, 2016

Walter Joseph "Jody" Sayre

May 17, 1940 - July 13, 2016

Walter Joseph "Jody" Sayre, 76, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday (July 13, 2016) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

Born fourth Cherokee, Jody was the son of the late Walter Roosevelt and Neva (Glidewell) Sayre, born May 17, 1940 in rural Green City, Missouri. On August 2, 1962 in Greentop, Missouri, Jody was united in marriage to Joyce Scott.

Jody is survived by his wife Joyce of fifty-three years; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jamey Sayre, and Jerry and Kim Sayre all of Kirksville, MO; one sister, Velma Hatfield of Kirksville, MO, two grandchildren, Lathon and Colton Sayre both of Kirksville, MO; two step-grandchildren, Kelly and Celia; three step-great grandchildren, Addison, Lily, and Parker, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jody was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Jeana Sayre, two brothers, Lester and Billy Sayre, and three sisters, Selma Shotwell, Thelma McKeehan, and Wilma Oberg.

Jody received his education in the rural schools in Green City, Missouri. He was employed seventeen and a half years for McGraw Edison ending up as a supervisor, and was a self employed painter. Jody began employment with the City of Kirksville on July 11, 1977, as an Airport Operator. After twenty-six years, Jody retired in 2005 where he had been supervisor his last twenty years. Jody had twenty years of perfect attendance, thirty-eight excellent ratings from the National Weather Service, fifteen No Discrepancy Ratings from the Federal Aviation Administration, two Airport Enhancement Awards from the Federal Aviation Administration and a Special Service Award for Outstanding Service from the National Weather Services.

He enjoyed his old 1951 Chevy Deluxe Coupe and loved taking his friends and grandchildren for joy rides. Jody was a neighborhood fixture at his picnic table and waved at all who went by.

Jody was a member of Hamilton Street Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and was baptized with his two sons at Hamilton Street Baptist Church on October 8, 2006 which broke the church record.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday (July 16, 2016) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Terry Hunsaker officiating. Interment will follow the service at Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.

Family will receive friends on Saturday (July 16, 2016) from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Sayre, Jamey Sayre, Colton Sayre, Lathon Sayre, Larry Sayre and Johnny Joe Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Powell, Dennis Dupree, Pat Drummond, Kurt Robinson, and Rick Sayre.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to his family. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.