The Memorial Wall

Edward Dean Cox, 70, of Chanute, KS, passed away due to complications from Parkinson’s disease on July 5, 2018 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. He was born to George and Ramona (Cutler) Cox in Chanute on April 15, 1948. He graduated from Midway High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University. Ed married the love of his life, Deborah Wells, on May 23, 1971 at Chanute First Christian Church. She survives at their home.

Ed was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa. His greatest joy was time spent with his family. He worked as a salesman for NuWa/Kansas RV in Chanute for nearly 24 years before his retirement last year. In his spare time, Ed enjoyed playing softball and played competitively for 12 years, even being inducted into the Kansas Softball Hall of Fame, before discovering his love of golf, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

As an active member of the Chanute community, Ed served on many committees, often as a leader. He served as mayor of Chanute, and as president of the Chanute Recreation Commission, USD 413 School Board, and Chanute Country Club. He was a member of Chanute City Commission, Economic Development Commission, Sons of the American Legion, and Director of Chanute Chamber of Commerce. Ed also played an instrumental role in the development of the ball diamond complex at Santa Fe Park. He was a member of Chanute First Christian Church where he served as an elder. His dedication to his family, friends, community, and church will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Ed is survived by His Wife, Deborah Cox; Children, Mandy Keenan and husband, John, of Chanute, KS, Matt Cox and wife, Joetta, of Tulsa, OK; Siblings, Randy Cox and wife, Karen, of Chanute, KS
Susan Beck and husband, Larry, of Chanute, KS; Aunt, Jackie Orrick of Buffalo, KS; Grandchildren,
Bailey Brecheisen, Hunter Cox, Karsen Cox, Kalla Keenan, Numerous Cousins, Nieces, and Nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lonnie Cox and Doyle Cox; and sister, Jane Cox.

Lawrence “Larry” Gay, 85, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo, IL

Lawrence was born on January 1, 1936, the son of Homer and Vivian (Elliott) Gay in Rose Hill, IA. He married the love of his life, Margie Newport, on August 27, 1955, in Oskaloosa, IA. He graduated from Lacey Consolidated High School in Lacey, IA. Larry graduated from Iowa State University in 1957. Larry was employed at John Deere for 35 years as an agricultural engineer. As an avid agriculturist, Larry wrote four books about tractors. He retired from John Deere in 1992. Larry enjoyed bicycling and traveling with his lovely wife.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Margie, Geneseo; son, Steve (Zhongxi) Gay, Huntley, IL; daughters, Pam (Dennis) Coonfield, Omaha, NE, Marcy (Chris) Cox, Saugatuck, MI; brothers, David (Sue) Gay, Portland, OR; sisters, Patty (Ted) Winegardner, Colombus, SC; sister-in-law, Sandra Gay, Morton, IL; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Vivian Gay; and brother, James Gay.

Thomas Body of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the age of 72 years. He was born in Calgary, AB, on September 10, 1949.

Tom is survived by daughters Justine Body, and Angela Body; his grandchildren, Vega, and Felix; and his sister Linda Dustan. Tom was predeceased by his son Alex Body, his parents, Romney and Theresa Body; and brother Robert Body.

In memory of a special man, one of wisdom and integrity, who lived his life with love and respect for his children, grandchildren, and friends. He will forever be in our hearts.

In 1967 when Ray Foley went to work as a bartender and manager at The Manor in West Orange, NJ, little did he know that cocktails would continue to shape and define the next 56 years of his life. “Uncle Ray,” a beloved legend in the hospitality industry, passed away peacefully in Basking Ridge, NJ, on October 27, 2023, from complications of Parkinson’s disease, which he sustained in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune in the 1960’s. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

The Manor didn’t only shape Ray’s career, it’s also the place where in 1977 he met the love of his life, Jaclyn Wilson, who he married in 1982 in Bernardsville, NJ. The following year, Ray left The Manor to devote his full efforts to BARTENDER Magazine, which he began publishing a few years prior. Today, BARTENDER Magazine, Bartender.com, and Mixologist.com are still the only trade publications/websites of their kind targeted to bartenders and bartending, read and enjoyed by more than 250,000 people across the country. Ray was also the author of over a dozen cocktail books, including the popular “Bartending for Dummies,” now in its 6th edition, and one of the all-time best sellers in the “For Dummies” series. Additionally, Ray has developed and named thousands of cocktail recipes, including the world-famous “Fuzzy Navel,” which he created in 1985. Ray’s collection of cocktail recipe books (some dating back to the 1800’s) is one of the largest collections in the world and is now on display at the Galleria Campari Museum in Milan, Italy.

A longtime champion for bartenders and hospitality professionals, Ray was the founder of the BARTENDER “Hall of Fame” which recognizes and honors the best bartenders throughout the U.S. for their skill and service to their communities. He was also the founder of “The Bartenders’ Foundation,” a non-profit organization that raises and awards much-needed scholarship funds to bartenders to further their own or their children’s education.

Ray was generous and kind, and larger than life. With his quick wit, big heart, and Irish humor, he loved to entertain people and tell stories (as any good bartender should!) But his greatest joy in life was his family. He is survived by his wife and partner of 42 years Jaclyn, their son Ryan, daughter-in-law Cait Fallon, and granddaughter Nora. He also leaves behind Ray and his partner Kim, Billy and his wife Perry and their son Lachlan Foley, Amy and her husband Greg and children, Caitlin, Robert, and John.

Jean Shepard was a trailblazer for women in country music, who rose to fame in the 1950s with her honky-tonk style and frank lyrics. She was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years and a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. But behind her success and popularity, she also faced personal tragedies and health challenges that eventually led to her death in 2016.

Jean Shepard was born Ollie Imogene Shepard on November 21, 1933, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. She grew up in a poor sharecropper’s family that moved to California during the Great Depression. She developed a passion for country music at an early age, listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and forming an all-female band called the Melody Ranch Girls. She was discovered by Hank Thompson, who helped her sign with Capitol Records in 1952.

Shepard’s breakthrough came in 1953, when she recorded a duet with Ferlin Husky called “A Dear John Letter”. The song was a half-spoken letter from a woman to her soldier husband, telling him that she had found another love. The song resonated with the audiences during the Korean War and became a huge hit, reaching number one on the country charts and number four on the pop charts. It was also the first post-World War II record by a female country artist to sell more than a million copies.

Shepard followed up with more hits, such as “A Satisfied Mind”, “Beautiful Lies”, and “Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)”. She also joined the cast of the Ozark Jubilee television show and the Grand Ole Opry in 1955. She was one of the few female stars on the Opry at the time, along with Kitty Wells and Minnie Pearl.

In 1960, Shepard married fellow Opry star Hawkshaw Hawkins, who was known for his good looks and rich baritone voice. They had a son, Don Robin, in 1961, and were expecting another one in 1963. However, their happiness was cut short when Hawkins died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963, along with Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, and Randy Hughes. Shepard was eight months pregnant at the time and gave birth to Harold Franklin Hawkins II on April 1.

Shepard was devastated by the loss of her husband, but she returned to work soon after giving birth. She continued to record and perform, releasing more singles and albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She also remarried in 1968, to musician Benny Birchfield, with whom she had two more sons, Corey and Jesse.

In later years, Shepard developed Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system and causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement and balance. According to DrMirkin.com, Parkinson’s disease can also affect the heart and cause irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, and heart failure.

Shepard struggled with her condition for several years, but she did not let it stop her from performing. She remained active on the Opry stage until 2015, when she announced her retirement after celebrating her 60th anniversary as a member. She was also honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011, becoming one of only three female solo artists to be inducted at that time.

Shepard died on September 25, 2016, at the age of 82. According to Wikipedia, she died of Parkinson’s disease at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She was survived by her husband Benny Birchfield and her five children.

Jean Shepard was a pioneer for women in country music, who sang about love and life from a woman’s perspective. She influenced many other female artists who followed her footsteps, such as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Reba McEntire, and Miranda Lambert. She was also admired for her honesty and courage in facing her personal challenges and health issues.

Shepard once said: “I’ve always tried to be honest with my fans. I think they deserve that.” She also said: “I don’t want people feeling sorry for me because I have Parkinson’s disease. I’m not going to let it get me down.”