John Gerald Kaiser, 80, of the Lake of the Ozarks, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018, on his farm north of Columbia.   He was born February 5, 1938, in St. Thomas, Missouri, the son of the late John and Rose (Luebbering) Kaiser.  Gerald was raised in St. Thomas where he developed a love for the Osage River and all things nature.  He had a work ethic second to none and a love for family and friends that would be a challenge to replicate.   Gerald served in the Missouri National Guard Reserves.   He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Bisges in Osage Bend, Missouri on June 3, 1961.   Gerald and Mary Ann resided in Jefferson City for a number of years while Gerald worked for Schaefer Brothers Construction.  They moved to Columbia, Missouri in 1966 where Gerald started his own construction company and built custom homes for many years.  Upon retirement, Gerald and Mary Ann moved to the Lake of the Ozarks where they enjoyed lake life and many new friendships.Gerald enjoyed hunting and fishing, and loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Laurie and a former member of St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church in Osage Bend.  He was a former member with the Elks Lodge 2517 at the Lake of the Ozarks, and a former member and officer with the Home Builders Association in Columbia.   Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Kaiser, Lake Ozark; three daughters Lynn (Steve) Proctor, Harrisburg; Lisa (Greg) Merideth, OFallon; Leigh Ann Cunningham, Columbia; one son, Larry Kaiser, Columbia; six grandchildren, Stefanie (Rustin) Smiley, Mallory (Seth) Clatterbuck, Alex Merideth, Melissa (Justin) Tichy, Aimee Merideth, Christina (Colton) Cotton; seven great-grandchildren, Rylan Smiley, Rowan Smiley, Rhett Clatterbuck, Jackson Tichy, Charles Tichy, Madelyn Shepherd, Weston Cotton, with one more on the way; six siblings, Ruth Jurgensmeyer, Columbia; Bill Kaiser, St Thomas; Alice Reinkemeyer, Westphalia; Dennis Kaiser, Columbia; Rich Kaiser, Jefferson City; and Pat Kaiser, Wisconsin.   He was preceded in death by his parents John and Rose; and a grandson, Jonathon Cunningham.   Visitation will be 4:30-7 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2018, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City with a prayer service at 4:00 pm.   Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church in Osage Bend with the Rev. Chris Cordes and the Rev. John Schmitz concelebrating.   Burial will be in St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Cemetery.   Memorials are suggested to the St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church, 12025 Route W, Jefferson City, MO 65101  or St Thomas the Apostle Church, PO Box 146, St. Thomas, MO 65076.   Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.   Those wishing to email condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.