Obituary of Joe Norman Boze

Joe Norman Boze fell into a peaceful sleep October 31, 2015 at Des Peres Hospital, in Kirkwood, Missouri with his wife and two sons by his side. Joe was born at Normandy Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri to Charles Polk Boze and Betty Jo (Anderson) Boze on October 22, 1956 and attended Ritner School until moving to Salem with his parents and sister, where he attended Dent Phelps RIII School, and Salem Senior High School, graduating in 1975. Joe was married young to Tina (Gouldsmith) Purdin, and to this union was born one daughter. He later married his true love and soul mate, Gina Darlene (Toman) Boze and to this union were two sons. Joe was an expert machinist and worked for Rawlings in Licking, Mo, Amax Lead Mines in Boss, Missouri, in the oil fields of Kansas and Texas, Zenor Company in Rolla, Missouri, Quality Machine Works, Salem, Missouri, Partner Precision in Rolla, Missouri and finally Missouri Science and Technology formally the University of Rolla, where he finished his associate's degree. He enjoyed his career, as he always stated, "I'm lucky, I chose my career based on my hobby." Joe was an avid reader and loved to travel, going to nearly all 50 states, and Mexico. He loved to work on cars and was known to have rebuilt some of the fastest cars in Dent and Phelps county. He loved to write short stories with a special interest in genealogy and history. He was quoted to be "Master of the English Language" by one of his close friends and one of many who enjoyed reading his "Joe says" posts and stories. His love and zest for life were contagious. Another close friend stated about Joe, "if you are fortunate to recognize and appreciate what he (Joe) has to offer, his gift has no end...he lived his life out loud. He loved his family in front of the whole world." Joe will especially be remembered for his sense of humor, his way of making you feel at ease in any situation, and his remarkable ability to fix anything and everything. He worked on projects from the Mars Land Rover to rebuilding his wife's shoe rack. Those who knew him will agree that in his field, he was a true genius. Joe loved playing games of all kinds, but you wouldn't want to play rumy with him as he was a master of card counting. He loved to dance, sing, and play pool. He was fond of the quote, "Dance like no one is watching." Joe only lived to be with his familiy, his wife, sons, and grandsons. He was blamelessly selfish with his family time. Joe will be devotedly remembered by his devoted mother, Betty Jo (Anderson) Boze; siblings, Betty Ann (Boze) Kunkel, Warrensburg, MO; M.C. Toman and wife Etta, Salem, Paula and husband Bud Keltz, Montrose, CO; Linda Hunter, Salem; Inez Helene, and husband Jack Charlton, Montrose, CO; Rhonda and Husband Michael Schack, Jefferson City; Karene Toman, Fulton; Karla Toman, Marshall; Sharma and husband Allen Bush, Cortez, CO; and his beloved children Ryan Andrew Joe Boze, Douglas, Georgia; Charles Kester (Kess) Boze, United States Navy, Norfolk, Virginia; Kristina Gale and husband Marshall Herrbach, Jefferson City, Missouri; his grandchildren Chase Norman Boze and Sawyer Toman Boze of Yokosuka, Japan; Erin and Katlynn Abigail Herrbach; Special friend and Uncle, Neil Rider, Salem MO; special nephew and niece Aaron Zane Hunter, and wife Hope, St. James, MO; Joe's many treasured nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends, too many to mention. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Charles P. Boze and his mother-in-law, Melba N.(Rider)Toman.