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John J. Gaps, Jr. John Joseph Gaps, Jr., 72, died December 24, 2003 at Kavanaugh House on 56th St in Des Moines, Iowa. Raised in Ohio, John was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Oklahoma where he met his wife, Jo Ann Gibson. They lived in Oklahoma, Columbus, OH, Overland Park, KS. and Springfield, MO. before their last move to West Des Moines in 1970. John was a devoted grandfather of 10 grandchildren who loved him and will miss him very much. John was a US Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1961. In his retirement, John enjoyed working part-time as an accountant for Action Accents in Des Moines. He was a devout member of St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines. His passion was as a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jo Ann Gibson Gaps, daughter Julie (Kevin) Thomasson, son John J. (Gina) Gaps III and daughter Jeri (Greg) Williams. His grandchildren include Dr. Matt Van Dyke, John Henry "Hank" Gaps, Melissa Thomasson, Ethan Gaps, Sarah Gaps, Emilia Gaps, Audrey Williams, Kori Thomasson, Frannie Williams and Daniel Williams. Other survivors include uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and other family members in Oklahoma, Ohio, California and Texas. Cremation is being handled by Brooks Funeral Home. Per John's request, a funeral mass will be said at 11:00 am Saturday, December 27 at St. Francis, with the family greeting friends after the mass. Private burial of the cremains will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kavanaugh House on 56th or St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Des Moines. |