Joseph Tracey

Joseph Anthony "Tony" Tracey died peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 9th, 2015 in Olathe, Kansas. Tony was born to Joe and Eleanor Tracey on February 22nd, 1939 in Oklahoma City, OK. Because of his father's employment, and later his own, he lived in nine different states and 18 cities. He spent several years of his youth in Dallas, TX. While in Dallas he was very active in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle. During the first couple of years in high school, Tony was very active in debate and public speaking. He and his partner won 1st place in the Baylor University HS Debate Tournament and won several other debates.

Tony's father was transferred to Albuquerque, NM, where Tony attended the University of New Mexico. He was very active in a large Presbyterian church there and was elected president of the youth choir. He also served as faith chairman for the local Presbyterian Synod.

After leaving college, Tony married Virginia (Ginny) Eyestone. They had two sons, Tony, Jr. and Mark. After a couple of years, Tony accepted a job offer with REA Express and moved to Kansas City. He was later transferred to Wichita, KS and then Chicago, IL. After a couple of years in Chicago, he took a job with American Yearbook Company (a printer of HS and college yearbooks) and the family moved to southern Michigan and later to Columbus, IN.

While in Indiana, Tony and Ginny ended their marriage. Tony, Jr., Mark and Ginny moved back to Albuquerque. Tony moved to Oklahoma City. After a couple of years, Tony wound up in Lubbock, TX where he met his wife, Sally, who was visiting a friend there. Sally was in her last year of college at the University of Missouri. They carried on a long-distance relationship until she graduated. She then moved to Lubbock following their marriage in 1970. While in Lubbock, Tony was offered and accepted a job with S&H Green Stamps in Roswell, NM. Tony was quite successful while with S&H and was consistently named to the "Top Fifty" in a sales force of 450. Tony was promoted and transferred to St. Louis, MO, where their first daughter, Kimberly, was born. He was later transferred to El Paso, TX. While in El Paso, one of Tony's S&H customers offered him an opportunity to buy an interest in his chain of truck stops and serve as vice president of the company. He accepted and the family moved back to Roswell. It was here where their second daughter, Tiffany, was born.

Tony eventually decided to sell his interest in the business and seek other employment. When Tony left the truck stop company, S&H Green Stamps became aware that he was available and offered him his old position in Roswell. After a couple more years with S&H, during which time he continued to be quite successful, he was transferred to a larger territory in Amarillo, TX. While in Amarillo, Tony was active in a large Kiwanis Club and was named the 1986-87 Kiwanian of the Year. Tony and Sally decided to start their own business in Amarillo. They opened a quick print shop. After operating the business for 12 years, they decided to sell it and to move to Olathe, KS to be closer to Sally's family. They have resided in Olathe since 1991 and recently became active in Indian Creek Community Church.

One of Tony's greatest joys was watching his children and grandchildren grow up and welcoming his great-granddaughter to the family. Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Tony, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Sally of the home; his son, Mark Tracey of Portland OR; two daughters Kim Stokes and husband Dave of Lenexa, KS and Tiffany Tracey of Olathe, KS; and seven grandchildren: Tony III, Kristina, Madison, Maddie, Nevan, Jack, and Aidan; and one great-grandchild, Gracelyn.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your favorite charity.