Rev. Derald Musgrove, 83, of Springfield, MO passed away at his home Tuesday, December 11, 2012 following an extended illness.
Derald Musgrove, who devoted his life to serving Jesus Christ as a minister in the Assemblies of God, died peacefully at home Tuesday, December 11, in the comfort of his family. He was 83 years old.
Born to J.B. and Ruby (Hays) Musgrove on March 11, 1929, near Woodston, Kansas, Musgrove grew up in the Assemblies of God, spending his childhood in Palco and Yates Center, Kansas, where his parents were pastors. His father helped secure farmland that became the Woodston Camp, where the Assemblies of God has held camp meetings for almost 90 years.
A 1947 graduate of Yates Center High School, where he and his brother Bob played basketball, Musgrove felt called to ministry early in life, often telling how a member of his father’s church pointed to him saying, “There is my preacher boy. He’s got the mouth for it.”
Musgrove came to Springfield in 1948 to Central Bible Institute where he formed lifelong friendships. During his second year at CBI, he started dating his future wife, Peggy Collins. In those days, “dating” primarily meant standing together in the cafeteria line and attending church on Sundays. The couple was married on June 29, 1951, in Garden City, Kansas. They began their ministry at the Kansas District Youth Camp after just three weeks later.
The initial years of their ministry were in Eureka and Elkhart, Kansas, in small churches where Derald’s experience as a preacher’s son served them well. In 1954, the Musgroves moved to pastor Bethel Assembly of God in Wichita. Four years later, Musgrove was named Kansas district youth director; in 1965, he accepted the pastorate of Wichita’s First Assembly of God, now Maranatha Assembly. During this time he also was sectional presbyter and district Men’s Ministries director. He became secretary-treasurer of the Kansas District in 1970 and eight years later was elected district superintendent, a position he held for 15 years. During his tenure, he also served as President of the Assemblies of God District Superintendent’s Fellowship.
Known for his commitment to youth and young pastors, Musgrove was honored in 1986 when the Kansas District named the dining hall at Wheat State Camp “The Derald Musgrove Hall.”
Musgrove was actively involved in Central Bible College, serving on the Board of Directors, the Alumni Board as president and board member, and was elected Alumnus of the Year in 1999.
International travel was a highlight in Musgrove’s life. He enjoyed trips to South America, Mexico, the Middle East, Europe, the Soviet Union, and Africa, employing his photographic skills to document his trips.
He retired from the Kansas district superintendency in 1992. The Musgroves moved to Springfield in 1993, where Derald later became the first director of the Assemblies of God national Senior Adult Ministries; he helped develop the ministry’s administrative structure and launched PrimeLine, a newsletter for seniors. The couple became members of Central Assembly of God, Springfield, Missouri, in 2004.
Musgrove was a loving husband and father. Though his daughters–Darla and Diane–were the pride of his life, he often tried to gain sympathy for his lack of sons, by joking that he “lived in a girls’ dormitory.”
He is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughters, Darla Knoth (Rick) and Diane Awbrey (David); sisters, Leota Morar and Marva Ellis; brothers, Don and Roger; grandchildren, Colin and Christopher Knoth and Grace Awbrey; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Greenlawn East Funeral Home, Springfield, Missouri, Monday, December 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. The memorial service will be at Central Assembly, 1301 North Boonville, Springfield, Tuesday, December 18, at 2 p.m. Memorials may be sent to Wheat State Camp Fund, Kansas District Council, 3810 Walker Avenue, Maize, Kansas 67101, and Evangel University Derald Musgrove Scholarship Fund, 1111 North Glenstone, Springfield, Missouri, 65802.