George Tooley

   George Alan Tooley passed away peacefully in his sleep in Greeley, Colorado on February 22, 2024, at the age of 92.  

   George was born on the Osage Indian Reservation in Shidler, Oklahoma on June 17, 1931, to George James and Mary Beatrice Tooley.  George attended high school in Russell, KS and graduated from Hill City, KS high school in 1950.  George’s parents later moved to Great Bend, KS where George considered home.  Upon graduation, George joined the United States Air Force on August 15, 1950, and was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas Nevada and Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage Alaska. During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal as well as the Good Conduct Medal.  George was honorably discharged on August 14, 1954. 

    George was introduced to Joyce Marie Murphy by his Dad and the two were united in marriage on April 8th, 1961.  Their first born, Chris was born in Farmington, NM.  Daughter Kayleen was born two years later in Garden City, KS and one year later daughter Kara was born in Liberal, KS.  George and Joyce lived in Liberal until building Joyce’s dream home with a mountain view in Greeley, CO in 2003. George and Joyce moved to Wamego KS in November, 2017.  George worked selling life insurance and mutual funds for Jayhawk National Life and Ozark National Life for many years until becoming an independent financial advisor.  

    A devout Catholic all his life, George was a member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Liberal, St Peter’s Catholic Church in Greeley and St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Wamego. George’s business took him and Joyce to many places throughout the world in their almost 62 years of marriage. George’s most beloved hobbies, however, were watching football and the business channel to keep up on the stock market and how his stocks were fairing.  George was a kind and friendly man, a gentle Dad and a devoted husband.  He loved the Rat Pack and listening to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  He would, on occasion, boast that he played a hand or two of blackjack next to Dean Martin in Las Vegas.  

Survivors include his daughters, Kayleen Hernandez and husband, Stan, Loveland, CO, and Kara Burton and her husband Mike, Wamego, KS; Daughter in law, Leah Tooley, Yukon, OK;  Grandchildren Brianna Tooley, Portland, OR, Brett Tooley (Naomi) Windsor, CO, Kylee Millman, Costa Mesa, CA, Shayla McDonough and her husband Neil, Fort Collins, CO, Seth Holle, Wamego, KS, Ethan Holle, Wamego, KS and Great-Grandchildren, Ambrie and Myah Greeley, CO. 

George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; his son, Chris Tooley; and his brother Jay.

A private Burial will be held at St Bernard Catholic Cemetery in Wamego with Fr. Michael Peterson officiating. 

Memorials are requested to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, 4370 Salzer Road, Wamego, KS 66547.