1935 - 2025
Bobby Gene “Bob” Massey, 89, of Dexter, Kansas, passed away Wednesday morning, May 7, 2025, at his home.
Born November 3, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas, he was the son of Lyle W. Massey and Thelma Houser Defore. He was raised in the Dexter area and received his education in Winfield and Dexter, graduating from Dexter High School in 1954.
Bob was united in marriage to Margaret Marie Daniel on May 27, 1955. The couple made their first home in Wichita and eventually settled back in Dexter. Bob began his career with the Santa Fe Railroad and later worked as a Ranch Hand for the Radcliff Ranch until starting his own Dairy Farm in Dexter. In addition to farming, he returned to the railroad working as a carman and car inspector. He also worked in maintenance at the Arkansas City Hospital and the Dexter Nursing Home. Margaret preceded him in death on February 19, 2023.
He was a Deacon and Elder at the Winfield Evangelical Church, was named Outstanding Young Farmer and Outstanding Young Man of America in 1973, was Kansas Sportsman of the Year in 1976, and was on the Cowley County Extension Board. He was a member of Cambridge Baptist Church.
His family includes his sons, Dane Massey and wife, Anne of Houston, TX; Bobby Massey and wife, Beth of Valley Center; his daughters, Lila Tarp and husband, Dale of Tupelo, OK; Gina Anderson and husband, Jay of Dexter; his brothers, Lyle Massey of Winfield; Jack Massey and wife, Diane of Dexter; Dan Defore and wife, Brenda of Winfield; his sister Debbie Bauer and husband, Arlo of Wichita; his grandchildren, Jenny (Rob) Gregg, Kacie (Josh) Brecheen, Zach (Sarah) Massey, Isaiah (Hope) Massey, Letisha Deibert, Gideon (Mai) Massey, Tiffany (Jeff) Penner, Nate (Kimberly) Anderson, Jamin (Janell) Anderson, Hannah (Matthew) Westenfeld, Hillary (Holden) Burk, Levi (Tia) Massey, Lucas (Madison) Massey, Lazarus (Kenzie) Massey, Laban (Cheira) Massey, Haven Massey, and Loyale Massey; and his great grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, Micah, Makayla, Colton, Eden, Jubilee, Justice, Shiloh, Simeon, Ridge, Kruz, Bear, Jayden, Averi, Landen, Logan, Elaina, Talia, Samuel, Dorothy, William, Pearl, Whittaker, Kya, Jovi, Otto, Woodrow, and Hollis.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bob was preceded in death by a son Mark Alan Massey, sisters Joyce Evans and Deloris Spoon, brothers Joe Massey and David Massey, and a sister-in-law Judy Massey.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Dexter Outreach Church. Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield on Thursday, May 22 from 4 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 6 to 8 that evening.
A memorial has been established in Bob’s name for Dexter Schools. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.
