Jack Dillian “J.D.” Bales (84) of Emporia, Kansas, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Holiday Resort Care Center, Emporia.
He was born on July 19, 1927 in Caney, Kansas, the son of James Dillian “Dillie” & Doris (Helmick) Bales. He graduated from College High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1945. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy during WWII. He went to basic training in San Diego, CA and culinary school at Treasure lsland in San Francisco, CA. He served on the USS Cohocton AO 101. The ships ports-of-call were Pearl Harbor, Leyte in the Philippines, Guam and many other Pacific islands. He participated in the occupation of Japan, where he was assigned to the 5th Fleet. He then was assigned to the 7 Fleet for station duty in Tsingtao China.
Upon arriving home, he passed through the Panama Canal, continuing to Mobile, Alabama, where the ship was decommissioned. He served from May 1945 to July 1946. He attained the rank of Seaman l class and was honorably discharged. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry.
On June 5, 1948, he was united in marriage to his high school and college sweetheart, Joan E. Glasgow in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. His professional career started as a cattle buyer for Armour & Co. in Kansas City, Missouri. He was transferred to several cities in the midwest before settling in Emporia as head cattle buyer in 1964. He started his own order buying company, Bales Cattle Co. in 1969. He also worked for Excel Packing Co. for eight years until he retired in 1989. He was in the cattle business for 49 years.
He enjoyed playing golf and traveling around the world. He had his own little piece of heaven, his 240 acre pasture, where he could fish, watch his cattle, and just kick the dirt. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, The American Legion, American Livestock Association, Kansas Livestock Association, First Presbyterian Churc, and Sertoma Club. He was a lifetime member of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association & the OSU Posse. He gave a Steer-a-Year to Kansas State University Ahearn Fund for 10 years, and enjoyed attending sporting events at both universities. He co-founded the Rusty Zipper Club, his morning coffee group. J.D. was happiest and most proud of his family, and being able to be with them throughout his life.
J.D was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Anita Jean Bales; and two brothers, Billy Mac Bales and Kenneth J. Bales.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Bales of the home; one son, Randy (Debra) Bales of Topeka, Kansas; one daughter, Becky (Dan) McBride of Shawnee, Kansas; four grandchildren, Nicole (Tyler) Pufahl of Topeka, Michael Bales II of Los Angeles, California, Erin McBride of Dover, Delaware, and Jeff (Shambree) McBride of Gardner, Kansas; and three great-grandchildren, Jackson and Lillian Pufahl, and Abigail McBride.
The family will visit with friends from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 29, 2012 at Emporia Presbyterian Church with Pastor Ron Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Military Graveside services will be provided by Ball-McColm Post #5 American Legion and Lowry-Funston Post #1980, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either The Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University or The Emporia Friends of the Zoo. Donations may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack "J.D." Dillian Bales, please visit our flower store.
He was born on July 19, 1927 in Caney, Kansas, the son of James Dillian “Dillie” & Doris (Helmick) Bales. He graduated from College High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1945. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy during WWII. He went to basic training in San Diego, CA and culinary school at Treasure lsland in San Francisco, CA. He served on the USS Cohocton AO 101. The ships ports-of-call were Pearl Harbor, Leyte in the Philippines, Guam and many other Pacific islands. He participated in the occupation of Japan, where he was assigned to the 5th Fleet. He then was assigned to the 7 Fleet for station duty in Tsingtao China.
Upon arriving home, he passed through the Panama Canal, continuing to Mobile, Alabama, where the ship was decommissioned. He served from May 1945 to July 1946. He attained the rank of Seaman l class and was honorably discharged. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry.
On June 5, 1948, he was united in marriage to his high school and college sweetheart, Joan E. Glasgow in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. His professional career started as a cattle buyer for Armour & Co. in Kansas City, Missouri. He was transferred to several cities in the midwest before settling in Emporia as head cattle buyer in 1964. He started his own order buying company, Bales Cattle Co. in 1969. He also worked for Excel Packing Co. for eight years until he retired in 1989. He was in the cattle business for 49 years.
He enjoyed playing golf and traveling around the world. He had his own little piece of heaven, his 240 acre pasture, where he could fish, watch his cattle, and just kick the dirt. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, The American Legion, American Livestock Association, Kansas Livestock Association, First Presbyterian Churc, and Sertoma Club. He was a lifetime member of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association & the OSU Posse. He gave a Steer-a-Year to Kansas State University Ahearn Fund for 10 years, and enjoyed attending sporting events at both universities. He co-founded the Rusty Zipper Club, his morning coffee group. J.D. was happiest and most proud of his family, and being able to be with them throughout his life.
J.D was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Anita Jean Bales; and two brothers, Billy Mac Bales and Kenneth J. Bales.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Bales of the home; one son, Randy (Debra) Bales of Topeka, Kansas; one daughter, Becky (Dan) McBride of Shawnee, Kansas; four grandchildren, Nicole (Tyler) Pufahl of Topeka, Michael Bales II of Los Angeles, California, Erin McBride of Dover, Delaware, and Jeff (Shambree) McBride of Gardner, Kansas; and three great-grandchildren, Jackson and Lillian Pufahl, and Abigail McBride.
The family will visit with friends from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 29, 2012 at Emporia Presbyterian Church with Pastor Ron Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Military Graveside services will be provided by Ball-McColm Post #5 American Legion and Lowry-Funston Post #1980, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either The Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University or The Emporia Friends of the Zoo. Donations may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack "J.D." Dillian Bales, please visit our flower store.
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