1932
Wesley
2014
Wesley Mather
April 21, 1932 — January 24, 2014
Wesley D. Mather, born April 21, 1932, in Gove County, Kan., passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on January 24, 2014, at his home in Russell Springs, Kan. Born the eighth child to Jacob Pence Mather and Susie Jane Bigbee Mather, he graduated from Grinnell High School in 1950. He was a avid KU basketball Fan.
Wes served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. After leaving the Marines, he worked as a police officer in (Los Angeles County) Hawthorne, Calif., until joining the California Highway Patrol. He loved sharing stories of his times on patrol, especially those about the famous people he met and having the opportunity to drive for President Ronald Reagan, the governor of California at the time.
He married Shirley McAvoy and later divorced. They had one daughter, Michelle Irene. Later, he married Irma Salmhoufer, and she preceded him in death.
He retired from the California Highway Patrol after 16 years of employment and returned to Oakley, Kan., working for Oakley Township and as the Oakley City Judge. Wes was eventually elected as the Logan County Magistrate Judge. During his time in Oakley, he coached the K-18 baseball team, enjoying the excitement of the 1994 State Championship with his grandson Mike and the rest of the team.
Retiring from the bench, he moved to the Mather Ranch in Russell Springs, where he spent time with his horses, worked on his buggies and enjoyed Trail Ride and the peace of a small town. Wes was lifetime member of the Butterfield Trail Historical Society.
Wes adopted a black lab puppy he named Sparky when he was on an RV trip to Sparks, Nev., to visit his daughter. He and Sparky were the best of friends. Sparky preceded him in death.
Wes married Debbie (Gfeller) Wright, and she survives of the home. They traveled regularly in the RV and adventured to many auctions and garage sales in search of treasures. He was a devoted father and loving grandfather and loved spending time with his grandchildren, taking care of his ranch and relaxing on the deck. Horses, sand piles, hot dog roasts and a family baseball game were great fun for Wes.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Susie Mather; wife Irma Mather; brothers Richard, Harold and Jerry Mather; sister Carol Wilson and grandson Spencer Keith Wright.
Survivors include his wife Debbie Mather, of the home; his daughter Michelle (Dan) Toste, Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren Matthew Davis, Littleton, Colo., Michael Davis, Aberdeen, Wash., and Gabrielle Toste, Mt. Vernon, Wash.; stepdaughter Trudi (Jason) Gager, Olathe, Kan., stepsons T.J. (Lindsey) Wright, Goodland, Kan., Trent (Vicki) Wright, Fort Scott, Kan., and Troy (Brandy) Wright, Monument, Kan.; grandchildren, Brooke and Brodie Gager, Caden, Bella and Kenzie Wright, Shade Wright, and Dalton and Tierney Wright; brothers Lee (Phyllis) Mather, Coronado, Calif., Buford (Lois) Mather, Blackwood, N.J.; sisters Ruth Hays, Oakley, Kan., Wilma Taylor, Evelyn Fitzroy and Marjorie Wilson, all of Newton, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation was chosen and a private family memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Butterfield Trail Association, Russell Springs, Kan. or Hospice Services Inc., Phillipsburg, KS in care of Baalmann Mortuary PO Box 204, Oakley KS 67748. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com
Wes served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. After leaving the Marines, he worked as a police officer in (Los Angeles County) Hawthorne, Calif., until joining the California Highway Patrol. He loved sharing stories of his times on patrol, especially those about the famous people he met and having the opportunity to drive for President Ronald Reagan, the governor of California at the time.
He married Shirley McAvoy and later divorced. They had one daughter, Michelle Irene. Later, he married Irma Salmhoufer, and she preceded him in death.
He retired from the California Highway Patrol after 16 years of employment and returned to Oakley, Kan., working for Oakley Township and as the Oakley City Judge. Wes was eventually elected as the Logan County Magistrate Judge. During his time in Oakley, he coached the K-18 baseball team, enjoying the excitement of the 1994 State Championship with his grandson Mike and the rest of the team.
Retiring from the bench, he moved to the Mather Ranch in Russell Springs, where he spent time with his horses, worked on his buggies and enjoyed Trail Ride and the peace of a small town. Wes was lifetime member of the Butterfield Trail Historical Society.
Wes adopted a black lab puppy he named Sparky when he was on an RV trip to Sparks, Nev., to visit his daughter. He and Sparky were the best of friends. Sparky preceded him in death.
Wes married Debbie (Gfeller) Wright, and she survives of the home. They traveled regularly in the RV and adventured to many auctions and garage sales in search of treasures. He was a devoted father and loving grandfather and loved spending time with his grandchildren, taking care of his ranch and relaxing on the deck. Horses, sand piles, hot dog roasts and a family baseball game were great fun for Wes.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Susie Mather; wife Irma Mather; brothers Richard, Harold and Jerry Mather; sister Carol Wilson and grandson Spencer Keith Wright.
Survivors include his wife Debbie Mather, of the home; his daughter Michelle (Dan) Toste, Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren Matthew Davis, Littleton, Colo., Michael Davis, Aberdeen, Wash., and Gabrielle Toste, Mt. Vernon, Wash.; stepdaughter Trudi (Jason) Gager, Olathe, Kan., stepsons T.J. (Lindsey) Wright, Goodland, Kan., Trent (Vicki) Wright, Fort Scott, Kan., and Troy (Brandy) Wright, Monument, Kan.; grandchildren, Brooke and Brodie Gager, Caden, Bella and Kenzie Wright, Shade Wright, and Dalton and Tierney Wright; brothers Lee (Phyllis) Mather, Coronado, Calif., Buford (Lois) Mather, Blackwood, N.J.; sisters Ruth Hays, Oakley, Kan., Wilma Taylor, Evelyn Fitzroy and Marjorie Wilson, all of Newton, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation was chosen and a private family memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Butterfield Trail Association, Russell Springs, Kan. or Hospice Services Inc., Phillipsburg, KS in care of Baalmann Mortuary PO Box 204, Oakley KS 67748. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com
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