Tracy Vail

Tracy M. Vail, age 76, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Friday, April 5, 2012, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born on September 12, 1935, at Hamburg, Arkansas, the son of Jesse Lee and Anna Lois (Roberts) Vail. He grew up in Hamburg, living there until he joined the Army in 1958. While in the Army he was stationed in Germany, England, Texas and Ohio. In December 1952 Tracy married W. Maxine Lynn. She preceded him in death on June 29, 1966. In September 1964 Tracy was honorably discharged from the Army. He then worked as a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways while living in Mission, Kansas. Tracy then moved to Lane, Kansas in 1969 and continued to drive for Consolidated Freightways. Tracy was united in marriage to Carolyn Sue Polston on January 28, 1972, in Olathe, Kansas. In 1973, he purchased the Lane Elevator, operating it until 1975 when he moved to Fountain Hill, Arkansas, where he raised livestock and drove a gasoline transport for W.E. Tucker Oil Company of Hamburg. In 1988 they moved to Louisburg, Kansas, and then to Drexel, Missouri in 1990. In 1999 Tracy retired from farming and moved to Belton, Missouri. Tracy enjoyed traveling the Southern Islands, with Grenada being his favorite spot. He also enjoyed history, reading, and visiting family and friends. Tracy enjoyed his trips with his family including trips to the City Market and to the vineyards of California. Tracy's military service was an important part of his life. At one point in the 1960's Tracy and his two brothers were in the service at the same time. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tracy M. Vail, Jr. in November of 1990; grandson, James Vail; brother, Earl Vail; and two sisters Sybil Adams and Geneva Page. Tracy is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Vail, of the home; daughters, Patti Loveall and husband Al of Shawnee, Kansas, Diana Katzer and husband Fred of Greeley, Kansas, Tammy Rogers and husband Jay of Napa, California; sons Harold Vail of Big Springs, Texas, Dwayne Vail and wife Bonnie of Belton, Missouri, Jeff Vail and wife Amanda of Belton, Missouri, sister Thelma White of Spring Hill, Kansas; brother Raymond Vail and wife Linda of Arma, Kansas; nineteen grandchildren; and twenty-seven great grandchildren.