Stoddard County official Gary Capps dies of cancer

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Gary Capps, Stoddard County Industrial Development Authority director, succumbed to pancreatic cancer around 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

A skilled luthier, Capps was known for his fondness and talent at building stringed instruments. Maypop Music, the name he gave to his instrument business because of the maypops that grow all around his shop, is located in an old barn that used to belong to his grandfather. Gary moved the barn to his home some years ago from its original location and has since used it as a shop where he could pursue his many hobbies.

Capps also worked with a number of projects in various communities.

Capps served on the board of the Stars & Stripes Museum/Library, the Bootheel Tourism Committee, Stoddard County Development Foundation, the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission, the Stars and Stripes Byway Committee and numerous other boards over the years.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, and a son, Ben.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.