Percy W. Pascoe

Percy W. Pascoe, Jr. of Cuba, MO was born on Friday, January 31, 1930 in Little Rock, AR to Percy Pascoe, Sr. and Oma Mae (nee Grizzle) Pascoe.  He passed away on Monday, April 06, 2020 at University of MO Medical Center, Columbia, MO at the age of 90 years, 2 months, and 6 days.

Percy attended Beaumont High School, St. Louis, MO then worked at Central States Paper and Bag Co.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 during the Korean War and completed Air Traffic Control School in Biloxi, MS where he was promoted to Corporal. He served at Tempelhoff Air Force Base in Berlin, Germany serving in three different levels of air traffic control and was promoted to Sergeant. He was sent to Laredo, TX Air Force Base where he was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1955.

Following his time in the armed forces, Percy attended Southwest Printing School, Dallas, TX and became Printer at Crawford Mirror, Steelville, MO from 1956-1960.

Working for the Crawford Mirror, Percy discovered his passion for community journalism and the written word. In 1960, Percy started “The Cuba Free Press”, a new weekly newspaper in Cuba, MO. The “Cuba Free Press” was designated a Blue Ribbon Newspaper in Missouri and nationally. Over his 42 years as editor and publisher of the Cuba Free Press, he earned more than 90 awards in journalism, included being inducted into the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1980 Percy created the “Steelville Star,” a new weekly newspaper in Steelville, MO.  Percy retired in 2002.

A lover of the Cuba community, Percy served many organizations over the years.  He was co-organizer of the Cuba Arts Council 1962 (prior to Missouri Arts Council); charter member of Viva Cuba Community Improvement Committee; past president member and former president of Crawford County Historical Society; member of the original Cuba Airport Committee, member of the second Airport Committee; served on board of the Cuba Senior Center; Past President of Cuba Chamber of Commerce; named Cuba Chamber of Commerce Pioneer of the Year Award, 1998; Member of American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Cuba Christian Church.

In his free time, Percy was an avid gardener and woodworker. He was known throughout his family for producing beloved handmade and often humorous wooden items for holiday gifts. He loved nature, history and reading, and even after retirement from the newspaper world, he never stopped writing.

Percy was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Rebecca Farmer; stepdaughter Brenda Conrad, son-in-law Mark Wieler and grandson Bill Harris.

He is survived by his devoted wife Delma Pascoe of Cuba, MO; son Willard (Joan) Pascoe of St. Louis, MO; daughter Rachel Wieler of Sullivan, MO; stepdaughters Jean Summers of Sullivan, MO and Sherry (Wayne) Wycoff of St. James, MO; son-in-law Kent Conrad of Kansas City, MO; 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Private Visitation was held at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO and a Private Graveside Service at 3:00PM on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 with Pastor Josh Sanders officiating. Burial at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, MO with full military honors.

Memorials were suggested to Cuba Senior Center, 206 N. Smith St., Cuba, MO 65453.

Arrangements under the care of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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