Roy M. Gertson was born June 2, 1929 in Larned, Kansas, to Albert Gert and Edith Ruth (Foster) Gertson. He died on January 20, 2013 following long illnesses of Alzheimer’s and Leukemia.
Roy had an abiding faith in God and was a devout Christian.
On June 7, 1959 he was united in marriage to Vivian McMullin. Roy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He earned an associates degree from Fort Hayes State College in 1949 and taught fourth grade in Pawnee Rock, Kansas for two years before enlisting in the Navy in 1951, where he served during the Korean War until 1955.
In 1956, he graduated with a degree in English from Southwest Missouri State College (now MSU). He earned his masters degree from Drury University in 1965.
Roy taught at Branson High School for thirty-one years from 1957 to 1988. He greatly enjoyed his students. He worked seasonally at Silver Dollar City for over thirty-two years. His duties included cash control, filling ticket orders, and operating the switchboard.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Fern Gertson; and a great-granddaughter, Vivian Esther Leverton. Survivors include his wife, Vivian; daughters, Lori Brittain and husband Tom; Janelle Leverton and husband, Jack; sons Christopher Gertson and wife, Jody; Todd Gertson and wife, Donna; and Jeffrey Gertson and wife, Michelle. Grandchildren include Andrew Brittain and wife, Magen; Bethany (Brittain) Phillips and husband, Douglas; Amy and Alex Leverton, Megan Gertson, Hannah and Joel Gertson, Payton Gertson and two foster grandchildren. He also had three great-grandchildren, Dace, Isabella, and Chandler.
Visitation will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson on Monday, January 28 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Baptist Church of Branson at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29. Interment will be on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery off Evans Road south of Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, 11300 St. Charles Rock Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044.