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ROBERT GEORGE "RUSTY" MCCLOUD, passed July 9, 2010, age 100 years, 6 months at the Brunswick Nursing Home. Death came quickly and peacefully after living a full life.

Rusty was born in Musselfork, Missouri, to Jess Austin McCloud and Rose Adaline Kelly McCloud. He was the second child of seven children. Growing up on the farm instilled an interest in farming, gardening, and hunting. He never lost an interest in these things.

Rusty graduated from the eighth grade at Musselfork, went two years to Eccles School and graduated from Salisbury High School in 1929. He worked on the railroad bridge over Highway 5 near Highway 24 for $1.00 a day. Later he ran four huckster routes that took him to Indian Grove, Keytesville, Dalton, Forest Green, and Musselfork.

Rusty entered the military January 27, 1942 and served in the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron with the 9th Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded three Bronze Stars for campaigns in Ardennes, Central Europe, and Rhineland. He wore a “No Time Lost” Lapel Button, the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, two Overseas Bars, Victory Ribbon and European African Middle East Theatre Campaign Ribbon. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant November 15, 1945.

After the army Rusty worked for Kansas City Power and Light. While in Kansas City he married Dorothy Fields November 2, 1946. They and Dorothy’s three year old daughter, Susie, moved to Keytesville. In 1948 Rusty ran unopposed as County Treasurer. He served four terms from 1949 through 1964. No campaign was complete if you didn’t knock on each door in the county. Rusty was an avid campaigner.

In November of 1949 Rusty and Dorothy had a baby girl, Helen, who resides at the Marshall Habilitation Center. Rusty and Dorothy went to see her every weekend until Dorothy’s health failed. Rusty continued to go every Sunday to see Helen until just before his death.

Rusty loved family and friends, going to see Helen, hunting, , gardening, driving, and helping around the nursing home with the plants. He was like “spit on a hot skillet” and was always on the go doing things. He kept his car spotless and moved it during the day to keep it in the shade. When Rusty no longer drove, the nursing home staff moved the car for him.

Rusty was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his Mother and Father, two sisters and three brothers. He leaves behind his daughter, Helen, brothers Raymond (Mac) McCloud and his wife Dorothy of Salisbury, Billy Joe McCloud of St. Charles, step-daughter Susie Cox and her husband Ron of Dalton, step-granddaughter, Sara Cox, of Topeka, Kansas. Nieces and nephews Sandra Shannon and her husband Bob of Keytesville; Betty Lou Callahan Harbough of Independence; Ricky McCloud and his wife Nancy of Columbia, Illinois; Belinda McCloud Brin and her husband Sanford of St. Louis; and Robert Stewart McCloud of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was blessed with many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Rusty’s presence on the highways and byways will be missed. So many stories pass with him, but we each have many we remember when we think of Rusty. He was fortunate to live a long life in good health.

Visitation is Monday, July 12, from 1-2:00 p.m. with services following at 2:00 p.m. at the Summerville Funeral Home in Salisbury. Burial in Oakland Cemetery in Moberly with military services provided by the Missouri Honors Team. Memorial contributions may be made to Marshall Habilitation Center.