Obituary of John G. Stith

John G. Stith passed away at Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.  He was born August 17, 1946 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Ira and Juanita Stith. 

He attended School of the Osage and graduated in 1965.  He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves for six years. In 1975, he married Carol Kehr, who preceded John in death in 2014.     

John and Carol raised 4 children; Ty Stith (Meredith) of Kaiser, Missouri, Joe Taylor (Tara) of Springfield, Missouri, and Johna Suchanek of Ozark, Missour. One daughter, Jessica Stith, preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents and only sibling, James Stith.

John is also survived by his beloved companion of many years, Esperanza Sulbaran, who he shared a home with in Mexico. 

John was a devoted grandfather “Bubba” to his five grandchildren Kailey Newbrough of Fair Grove, Missouri; Ty Stith Jr. of Kaiser, Missouri; Jacob Stith of Springfield, Missouri; and Emily and Michael Suchanek of Ozark, Missouri.  He also has three great grandchildren, Azayla and Daylan Newhouse and Anderson Newbrough of Fair Grove.

The Stith family owned and operated Stith Dairy for many years. The family owned several commercial properties in the lake area as well. John and Carol built and operated the Crazy Horse Lounge in Lake Ozark in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, which hosted many of the top tier country music artists of the time. John later opened and operated Stith Masonry which he ran until 2020.

John and Carol loved to travel and live life to the very fullest. They visited many different countries, including Mexico, where they fell in love, the small island of Isla Mujeres.  There, they bought an ocean front lot and built a home after Carol’s retirement, which was completed in 2000.  This became John’s primary residence in recent years and was his favorite place. 

John was very adventurous and fearless. He loved to snow ski, scuba dive, white water rafting, and was an avid Harley Davidson rider who attended Sturgis Rally every year. He and his son Ty rode to Alaska, Canada, and all over the United States together.

John was a bull rider at Western Fun Rodeo in Osage Beach during his teenage years. He was a Pro Bull Riders season ticket holder.

A celebration of life will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Tirebiters in Osage Beach, Missouri.  John requested that his ashes be released in the Caribbean in front of his home in Mexico, where Carol’s and also Jessica’s ashes were released. John will forever be missed by his family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in his memory to his favorite charity, Little Yellow School House.org