Guy Lauser

FARMINGTON – It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to announce Guy Lauser, better known to everyone as “Smoke” passed away April 25, 2025, at John Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 78.

Guy proudly served his country in the U. S. Air Force with a tour of duty in Vietnam. At the age of 50, he developed symptoms of Agent Orange exposure as a result of his Vietnam tour. He courageously fought pain and many other health problems due to complications he endured. His faith in God carried him through, and he is now free from all the pain and complications he endured. He never faltered in his faith, saying that he knew this was a purpose in his life. Serving in Vietnam was never a regret. He was a proud veteran who loved God, his wife, and his country.

Guy was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa to the late Gerald Lauser and Eva (Kerr) Lauser. Preceding him in death was an infant twin brother, Gary David Lauser; his maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was also preceded in death by his nephew, Jason Wamsher, and mother-in-law, Darlene “Cooky” Cook.

He was the beloved husband to Sandy (Wamsher) Lauser for 55 years who survives him; a brother-in-law, Richard (Bonnie) Wamsher, Bellefonte, PA; nephew, Randy (Lisa) Wamsher, Philadelphia, PA; great niece, Zoe Wamsher, Philadelphia, PA; cousins in Burlington, IA and many friends. He is also survived by cousins, Kelly Gerth and Kenny Gerth, Reading, PA and a very special cousin, Kim Nein (Chuck Brehm), Reading, PA; special friends, John (Jackie) Auer, Eureka, MO, Karl (Margaret ) Pfeiffer, Anchorage, Alaska, Cami Sloan, Farmington, MO and John and Rachel Voss, Escondido, CA.

Guy was employed at Presbyterian Home for Children, Farmington, MO, for 20-plus years, starting out as a cottage counselor with his wife and later becoming Director of Recreation and Fund Development for Southeast Missouri. He was one of the founders of HospiceCare, Inc. (now Serenity HospiceCare) of Park Hills, MO in 1989 and served as board president and board member for 20-plus years. He loved all the children he cared for and everyone at hospice.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his devoted loving wife, Sandy, of 55 years.

A special thanks to everyone at St. Francois County Ambulance for all the support and care they gave whenever he would fall and they would come to the house to help him get up from the fall. A special thanks to everyone at John Cochran Veterans Hospital for all the devoted care and attention he received during his three-week stay. Also, a special thank you to the staff of Cozean Memorial Chapel for the caring manor in which they have handled Guy’s final arrangements.

Private interment will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

There will be a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life with full military honors at Cozean Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, with a gathering of friends and family at 1:30 p.m. followed by the services beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials, if desired, may be made in Guy’s name to Serenity HospiceCare at 5272 Flat River Road, Park Hills, MO 63601 or to DAV – Disabled American Veterans at 9700 Page Ave., Ste 101, Rm. #1-096, St. Louis, MO 63132.