Gary Bartee

GARY ELDRED BARTEE Gary Eldred Bartee, age 79, passed away the evening of July 17, 2022, at home in the company of his family. Gary was born on May 18, 1943, in Clark, Missouri, the only child of James Eldred Bartee and Mary Carlene (Asbury) Bartee. In 1989 he was married to Barbara Wellman Flint and she survives at the home. Gary attended school in Clark and Renick prior to attending high school in Centralia where he was active in numerous school activities as well as basketball and track. After high school, Gary attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri, for two years. He then married Karen Ann Hutchens and was employed at A.B. Chance Co. in Centralia. In his 40-plus years with Chance Co. he worked in various positions to include drill press operator, scheduler, and East Street foreman. When he moved into sales in 1970, Gary relocated to Wichita, Kansas, and Denver, Colorado, for several years before returning to Centralia where he raised his family and spent the remainder of his Chance Co. career. Gary raised and showed Arabian horses and Longhorn cattle for several years. He was a past president of the Centralia Jaycees and, an avid golfer, was an active member of the Centralia Country Club for decades. For over 20 years, Gary and Barb enjoyed visiting his daughter Becky’s home in Kentucky annually to attend horse racing at the Keeneland Race Course. Gary is survived by his wife, Barbara Wellman Bartee, of Centralia, his daughter Rebecca Diane Bartee (Syndy), of Winchester, KY, his son Shane Eldred Bartee (Susanna), of Weston, MO, his stepson Thomas Flint (Christine), of Minneapolis, MN, his stepson Gregory Flint (Jacqueline), of Richmond, VA, and his grandchildren Abigail Bartee, Hannah Bartee, Hank Bartee, Lucy Bartee, Hutch Bartee, Adam Bartee, Wyatt Flint, and Peyton Flint. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Friday, July 22, 2022, at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, Missouri. Interment will be in Chapel Grove Cemetery near Clark, Missouri. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, Missouri. For those wishing to make a donation in Gary’s honor, the family suggests the First Christian Church of Centralia or the Boone Hospital Foundation (Home Care and Hospice), c/o Oliver Funeral Home, P.O. Box 125, Centralia, Missouri 65240. Condolences may also be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net