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Linn County News

Published January 11, 2023

Dr. Joseph James Bailey, Jr., age 87, of Centerville, Kan., passed away on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at Trustwell Living at Mission Springs in Mission, Kan.

Joe was born on Nov. 21, 1935, at Garnett, Kan., he was the first of three children born to Joseph J. Bailey and Lola Maxine (Cusick) Bailey. Joe graduated from Garnett High School in 1954 and Kansas State University with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1961. Joe returned to Garnett following his graduation, where he practiced mixed animal veterinary medicine. After a career-ending neck injury, Joe moved his family to Bozeman, Mont.

While everyone else was in school, Joe perfected the art of making biscuits and sourdough, but he failed miserably at his attempts to make yogurt. As a life-long learner, he studied geology, paleontology, archeology, and he enjoyed sharing that knowledge. In 1980 Joe returned to Kansas, moving to the farm near Centerville, where he raised registered Gelbviegh cattle. Joe continued to help guide and outfit hunting trips in the Maroon Bells of Colorado and the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. 

Joe loved to share a good story. Sometimes, the listeners were challenged to sort out fact from fiction, but the story was always good. Joe was generous with his time, volunteering for many community groups and projects and serving on several local boards. He founded an outreach group for veterinary professionals struggling with addiction. Joe was a lifelong collector, collecting numerous vehicles, rocks, books, pets and lifelong friends. Joe never met an animal he didn’t like, and that could be observed in the way he cared for countless stray dogs and cats to the retired pack horses that he gave refuge to.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Sr. and Lola Bailey. 

He is survived by his three children, Brenda Bailey of Jonesboro, Ark., Andrew J. Bailey and his wife, Linda Backstrom of Prairie Village, Kan., and Janet Bailey, DVM, of Tucson, Ariz.; six granddaughters, Courtney Pope, Haley Thyng, Ramona Bailey, Erin Bailey, Andrea Williams-Vestal, and Ashley Bailey; four great-grandsons; brother, Ed Bailey of Sebring, Fla.; and sister, Eileen Sandburg and husband, Mark, of Houston, Texas; and his cousins, with whom he cherished their monthly dinners together. Joe was blessed with the best neighbor anyone could want, over the years, Carlene Brownback, they helped each other with chores on their farms. They shared a wonderful friendship and Carlene was both his accomplice, yet kept him out of trouble in other instances.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett with burial following in the Garnett Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

OBITUARIES

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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