Betty Jane Bandy

Betty Jane (Gates) Bandy, 91, passed away at Junction City, CA, on Monday, November 30, 2020. She was born on May 4, 1929, to Rev. Philip and Bertha Mae (Eppler) Gates at Waxahachi, TX. As a Methodist minister’s daughter, she attended schools across Texas. She graduated from McMurrray University, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching. She married Rev. Thomas Alvin Bandy, in Amarillo, TX, on August 14, 1948. He preceded her in death on December 23, 2014. They served various churches in Texas and Kansas throughout their ministry. Jane held teaching positions at many of these locations and was very active in the United Methodist Women’s program. A highlight of her involvement was being chosen as a US representative to a world-wide gathering held in Singapore and a visit to China. Jane also enjoyed writing and had some of her poetry published. She had been a member of the Kansas Writers Guild.


Jane was preceded in death by her spouse Tom; her parents; brothers, Charles, Joseph and Ainsworth Gates and a great-grandson Emmett Bandy.

She is survived by her 4 sons, Philip (Deborah), Grand Junction, CO; Bruce (Leatte) Colby, KS; Brad, Vallejo, CA and Kirk (Jiia) Junction City, CA; 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 10 at the Colby United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS. Memorials to the Kansas United Methodist Women’s Organization or to the Colby United Methodist Church can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com