Wilbur Lee Tarrant, 77, of Emporia, Kansas, died Monday, February 8, 2016 at the AMG Hospital in Wichita, Kansas.
Wilbur was born February 21, 1938 in Kingman, Kansas, the son of Wilbur and Anna (Oak) Tarrant. He was a graduate of Cunningham Rural High School where he was active in sports, band, Kay club, yearbook staff, and was also a class officer. Wilbur continued his education by attending Pratt Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He transferred to Emporia State in 1957.
In 1959, he enrolled in the Weaver Airlines School in Kansas City. Upon graduating in 1960, he was hired to work in Las Vegas. Wilbur was called to serve in the U.S. Army from July 22, 1961 to August 17, 1963, spending 16 months at an American base near La Rochelle, France.
After being discharged from the Army he returned to Emporia, where he went to work in the club business as bartender and manager. In 1964 Wilbur returned to Emporia State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1965. Wilbur was the manager of clubs owned by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He later became the owner and manager of his own club, the Lariat Lounge in Emporia. He also worked part-time as an income tax preparer.
Wilbur was an active member of the Sertoma Club, and helped run a fundraiser for the building expense of St. Mary Hospital. He was an active participant in the Lyon County Democratic Party, Emporia State Alumni Association, and Kansas Club Association. He enjoyed playing bridge, reading, and all sports, especially tennis.
In September 1972, Wilbur married Myrna Barger at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Emporia. They later divorced.
Wilbur is survived by two stepdaughters, Cheryl Gold and husband David of Emporia, and Brenda Bletscher and companion Regina Shelton of Woodlawn, Illinois; grandson, Joshua Gold of Breckenridge, Colorado; and great-grandson, Clayton Danielson of Breckenridge, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Helen Tarrant, Gayle Tarrant and Ernest Tarrant; and a granddaughter, Chelsea Gold, who died from injuries she received in an automobile accident on January 23, 2016.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials contributions may be made to a fund being established to benefit his great-grandson. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilbur Lee Tarrant, please visit our flower store.
Wilbur was born February 21, 1938 in Kingman, Kansas, the son of Wilbur and Anna (Oak) Tarrant. He was a graduate of Cunningham Rural High School where he was active in sports, band, Kay club, yearbook staff, and was also a class officer. Wilbur continued his education by attending Pratt Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He transferred to Emporia State in 1957.
In 1959, he enrolled in the Weaver Airlines School in Kansas City. Upon graduating in 1960, he was hired to work in Las Vegas. Wilbur was called to serve in the U.S. Army from July 22, 1961 to August 17, 1963, spending 16 months at an American base near La Rochelle, France.
After being discharged from the Army he returned to Emporia, where he went to work in the club business as bartender and manager. In 1964 Wilbur returned to Emporia State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1965. Wilbur was the manager of clubs owned by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He later became the owner and manager of his own club, the Lariat Lounge in Emporia. He also worked part-time as an income tax preparer.
Wilbur was an active member of the Sertoma Club, and helped run a fundraiser for the building expense of St. Mary Hospital. He was an active participant in the Lyon County Democratic Party, Emporia State Alumni Association, and Kansas Club Association. He enjoyed playing bridge, reading, and all sports, especially tennis.
In September 1972, Wilbur married Myrna Barger at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Emporia. They later divorced.
Wilbur is survived by two stepdaughters, Cheryl Gold and husband David of Emporia, and Brenda Bletscher and companion Regina Shelton of Woodlawn, Illinois; grandson, Joshua Gold of Breckenridge, Colorado; and great-grandson, Clayton Danielson of Breckenridge, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Helen Tarrant, Gayle Tarrant and Ernest Tarrant; and a granddaughter, Chelsea Gold, who died from injuries she received in an automobile accident on January 23, 2016.
Cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials contributions may be made to a fund being established to benefit his great-grandson. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilbur Lee Tarrant, please visit our flower store.
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