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Melvin (Mel) Dale Gayer, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 5, 2020 in Ozark, Mo at the age of 81, with his family by his side.  Mel was born on December 12, 1938, to Richard Eugene Gayer and Ruby Mildred Walker Gayer on a farm just outside Everton, MO.  He and his two brothers, Jerry and Wayne, grew up on the farm and went to school in Everton.  He was valedictorian of his graduating class of 1956.  He attended Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, MO. After graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, he worked for Schlumberger Well Services, oil-field service company which eventually took him to Perryton, Texas.  He commuted from Perryton by piloting his Cessna 172 aircraft to maintain he and his father's cattle ranching operation in Everton.

In Perryton, he met Nancy Simpson, who taught grade school music. They were married on June 5, 1965 and had three children, Jason, Todd and Amy who have given them a lifetime of fun, joy and pride.

Mel's engineering career enabled he and Nancy to live in many different cities in the US and in Italy.  In 1967, he was employed by LTV Aerospace in Dallas, TX, where he worked for 5 years as a test engineer to evaluate various missile designs and outer space equipment for NASA, most notably for the Apollo 11 lunar landing, including Lunar Rover, Space Suits and equipment.

In 1972, he worked for Dayco Corporation in Springfield, MO as an application and development engineer.  In 1977 he became Director of Automotive Research and Development. He was responsible for design and development of theDayco Automatic Tensioner for single belt accessory drives used on cars today.  Mel holds a number of  worldwide patents on tensioners.

In 1989, Mel was invited to come to Chieti, Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, as Chief Engineer for Pirelli Power Transmission. He was responsible for worldwide automotive application, development and design.  Nancy and Amy lived in Rome where Amy attended an international school until she graduated in 1991.

In 1992, Mel became Director of Engineering for Pirelli Power Transmission – USA, in Minneapolis, MN.  Later, he became Vice President of OEM Sales for Carlisle Power Transmission, covering the US and Canada..

In 2002 Mel retired following a series of strokes which made worldwide travel impossible.  He and Nancy returned to Missouri.  In "retirement", Mel and his son Jason established a wildlife habitat by planting 26,000 trees and new native grasses on their property near Everton.

Nancy and Mel attended the University Heights Baptist Church and Searchers Sunday school class. Mel had a deep love for the Lord, instilled at an early age by his wonderful mother.

An avid, accomplished golfer and fishing enthusiast, Mel also enjoyed watching professional bull riding, telling stories and jokes, and playing games with family and friends. His brilliant intellect, yet down-home charm and wit drew many friends from all over the world during his frequent overseas travels with Dayco and Pirelli. He was a rascal, but an honorable man who was loved and will be missed by all who truly knew him.

Mel Gayer is survived by his wife Nancy of the home, his son Jason and wife Tonja of Springfield, son Todd and wife Erin of Oklahoma City, and daughter Amy of Tucson, Arizona, his brother Jerry Eugene of Weatherford, OK, brother Wayne David and wife Kim of Austin, TX, his nieces and nephews, and in-laws.

The family wishes to thank Ms. Joyce Peterson, an RN with Integrity Hospice for her expert care and attention to Mel in the final days of his life.

Due to COVID-19, the family requests that the visitation be no contact. (No hugging or shaking of hands). Visitation will be from 5:00PM-7:00PM, Friday, August 7, 2020 Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove, MO. Funeral services will be 11:00AM, Saturday, August 8, 2020 at University Heights Baptist Church, Springfield, MO.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Melvin's name to Integrity Home Care & Hospice, 2960 N Eastgate Ave, Springfield, MO 65803 ( mercyhealthfoundation.net/springfield) or University Heights Baptist Church, 1010 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65804 and may be left at the funeral home.