Adolph "J.R." Grabbe, Jr.

Adolph “J.R.” Grabbe, Jr.

Adolph “J.R.” Grabbe, Jr., 79, Hays, died Friday, September 29, 2017 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.

He was born August 8, 1938 in Hays the son of Adolph A. “Sam” Grabbe, Sr. and Leona (Weigel) Grabbe.  A 1957 graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy, he joined the U.S. Navy where he worked on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier and was also a boxer.  In 1965 he married Susie Tallman and he later married Barbara Watts in 1996.  He worked as a parts salesman for S&W Supply and as a custodian at Fort Hays State University, making many friends with each job.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and he liked to go to the mountains, snow ski, be outside, and watch his kids’ ball games.  He was an avid Royals, Chiefs, and KU fan.  His favorite thing was having his grandkids and kids come see him for the holidays always enjoying the gag gifts and jokes.

Survivors include Barbara Grabbe of Hays, his children; Jill Miller and husband Michael of Kansas City, Amy Grabbe of Hays, Brian Watts and RoJene Broeckelman of Hays, Julie and Shawn Sulzman of Hays, five sisters; Terri Demel of Sun City, AZ, Carol Osborne and husband John of Wichita, Judie Ford of Hugoton, Mary Kay Holmes of Kansas City, KS, and Connie Bourbina and husband Art of Independence, KS, ten grandchildren; Elisabeth Miller, Sam Miller, Ethan Grabbe, Maggie Housman, Elise Housman, Cody Watts and wife Tracy, Cade Watts, Shelby Bach and husband Andrew, Kirsten Sulzman, and Sydney Sulzman, and two great granddaughters; Elaina Bach and Sadie Watts.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers; Bud and Jerry Grabbe.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, with Fr. Fred Gatschet and Fr. Gilmary Tallman officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  Memorials are suggested in J.R.’s memory to Hospice of HaysMed in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com