Col. Pershing Tousley

Retired Army Colonel Pershing Tousley, 87, Independence, retired evangelist in the Community of Christ Church (Beacon Heights) died, Thursday, August 3, 2006 at The Groves Retirement Center. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, August 12, at the Beacon Heights Community of Christ. The family will receive friends following the service. Private burial will be in Mound Grove Cemetery. Col. Tousley served on active duty in the United Stated Army for 3l years and was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During this period he spent a total of 13 years in overseas assignments. He was highly decorated during his distinguished military career. He was a Professor of Military Science at Texas A & I University and received the Legion of Merit for his Vietnam wartime service. He was serving in the Pentagon in Washington, DC, in the Office of the Chief of Information, Department of the Army when he retired in 1973. He was born in Lamoni, IA and graduated from Graceland University, receiving the Cousins cup in Engineering. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland and Master's Degree in Communications/Journalism from Stanford University. He was a graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Col. Tousley was living in Annandale, VA before coming to this area in 1973. Following Army retirement, he served as assistant to the First Presidency of the Community of Christ, supervising the church's program of Ministry to the Armed Forces from 1974-1984. During the same period he was manager of the church's biennial World Conferences. He was instrumental in establishing the church in Fairbanks , AK and Springfield, VA. Other pastorates include Blue Ridge Community of Christ, Independence and Danville, IL. He also attended E. 39th St Community of Christ and currently was 20 years at Beacon Heights congregation. He held memberships in the Retired Officers Association, Independence Rotary Club (nearly 30 years), being named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International in 1989. Col. Tousley had a lifelong interest in science, mathematics, physics and astronomy. Survivors include his wife, Doris (Templemire) Tousley; two daughters: Jacquelyn (Dr. Stephen Murdock) Lamoni, IA and Sherry Tousley of Kerala, India, partner, Gail Gerhardson; grandchildren, Stacey Murdock(Garth Thorburn II), and Christopher Murdock; Sister, LoRene Masimore, Des Moines; Niece, Gwyn Makara (John), Detroit and nephew Kenneth Masimore (Gerry), Omaha; and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eva (Barrett) Tousley and brothers Francis and Steven Tousley. The family suggests contributions to The Rotary Foundation or Outreach International c/o of Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com.