Jay Dean Bodenhamer

Jay D. Bodenhamer, age 85, of Greeley, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at the Anderson County Hospital in Garnett, Kansas.

Jay Dean Bodenhamer was born on August 15, 1934, in Greeley, Kansas. Jay was the fourth of six children born to Hylas Luther and Leona (Reed) Bodenhamer. Jay grew up in Greeley and graduated from Greeley High School with the class of 1952. While growing up, Jay was a member of the Dynamite 4-H Club, exhibiting livestock and crops. He then attended Kansas State University where he studied Agronomy until he was drafted into the US Army. Jay served two years in the Army, where he was stationed in Germany.

On May 29, 1960, Jay was united in marriage to Betty Pimper at Iola, Kansas. This union was blessed with two daughters, Ruth and Donna. Jay worked as a machinist at Taylor Forge in Paola until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed raising Polled Hereford cattle. Jay loved being outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. Jay was an avid woodworker, making many projects from lumber that came from his farm. He was an active member of the Lane Masonic Lodge #339 and the Mirza Shrine, Pittsburg. Some of Jay’s greatest joy came from the times he was able to spend with his grandchildren, helping several of them with their own 4-H projects. Jay will be remembered for his love of a good joke and his many pranks will be missed.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rex Bodenhamer, and an infant brother, Charles Bodenhamer.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Bodenhamer; daughters, Ruth Pracht and husband Bill of Westphalia, Kansas, Donna Guilfoyle and husband Ron of Louisburg, Kansas; six grandchildren, Becky Guilfoyle, Ericka Jimenez and husband, Nick, Rachel Wilson and husband, Darrel, Ethan Pracht and wife, Maryssa, Brian Guilfoyle, Wyatt Pracht; four great grandchildren, Max and Eva Jimenez, Marley Wilson and Bentley Pracht; one brother, Glen Bodenhamer of Burlington, Kansas; two sisters, Nancy Day and husband Gary of Ozark, Missouri and Judy McKendrick and husband JD of Burley, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, December 30, 2019, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Greeley Cemetery, Greeley, Kansas. Jay’s family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Sunday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children and left in the care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .