Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos frequently said, “How could we ever hold anything back from a God who holds absolutely nothing back from us?” He lived his life by trying to give his all in service to the Diocese of Jefferson City. He was the third bishop of the diocese from 1997 to 2017.
Bishop Emeritus John Raymond Gaydos, 82, died peacefully on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at St. Agnes Retirement Home in Kirkwood, Missouri. The wake and visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, September 15, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph (Jefferson City) with a Vigil Service and prayers at 7 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with Metropolitan Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis presiding and Archbishop Emeritus George J. Lucas of Omaha, Nebraska, preaching the homily. Both ceremonies will be open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Jefferson City Facebook page.
“Bishop Gaydos served our diocese with a shepherd’s care and an unwavering trust in the Holy Spirit,” said Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, diocesan administrator.
Bishop Gaydos had complete trust in God’s healing mercy. Once, when someone wondered aloud at the disposition of the soul of a man who had recently died, the Bishop thundered: “Never … EVER … underestimate the power of God’s mercy! … Ever!”
You can read more about the life of Bishop Gaydos here.