A tragic drowning accident occurred in Taney County on Thursday, resulting in the death of a 78-year-old man from Walnut Shade. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Paul Moriuchi was attempting to retrieve his dog from Bull Creek near Branson when he tragically lost his life.
Moriuchi was a well-known figure in the community and owned Party Magic, a popular store in Branson that specialized in balloons and party decorations. In light of the tragedy, Party Magic announced its closure due to a family emergency on their Facebook page.
Unfortunately, details about the incident are limited, with no additional information provided by the MSHP report. However, Moriuchi’s impact on the community extends beyond his business ventures. In a 1999 Springfield Business Journal article, it was mentioned that Moriuchi and his wife Paula had donated numerous helium balloons and party supplies for the Miss Teen USA pageant held in Branson. Their generosity and involvement in the community will be deeply missed by many.
