Joseph “Joe” Ray Boley, 92, passed away Sept. 4, 2024, at Azria Health Woodhaven in Great Bend, Kan. He was born Dec. 14, 1931, at Sedgwick, Kan. to Everett and Marie (Paden) Boley.

Joseph earned his BME from the University of Wichita in 1955, and was music director at Dorrance from 1955, through May 1958. While in Dorrance, he married Darlene Orth from Andale on Dec. 26, 1955. She passed away March 25, 2021, as a result of a stroke in January 2019.

Joseph and Darlene moved to Great Bend where he was the USD 428 band director and Darlene was vocal director at Roosevelt Junior High one year and taught private piano and organ lessons. During his 36 years in Great Bend, Joseph was band director for Great Bend High School, Roosevelt Junior High School, Great Bend Middle School, area elementary schools, and was a music supervisor for a time. He served previously as president of the Great Bend National Educators Association, served on the Kansas State Teachers Association Board of Directors one term, and was an active member in the Great Bend Retired School Personnel Association. He had membership in professional music organizations including MENC, KMEA, and a member of KBA since 1974.

Joseph was Municipal Band director from 1959, until the summer of 1963. He was co-director of the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps until 1971 and president of the Golden Belt Community Concert Association for 16 years. He served as past director of the city recreation band program and received the Great Bend USD 428 Master Teacher Award for 1980-1981, past president of KBA in 1981, awarded KBA Outstanding Band Master of the year in 2001, Home for the Holiday Parade Marshal in 2009, Kiwanis GB Greater Award in 2011, served as Jazz Festival vice-president for 24 years, secretary for the KMEA District V (Now Southwest Division) for several years, a member of the Ellinwood Wheat Bowl football half-time committee, former adjudicator for KSHAA, served several years on the Barton County Historical Society board of directors, a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick where he directed the adult choir for over 25 years, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #862. Joseph’s passion for music, students, history, and people sparked him to become an author at 90 years old by writing a book on the history of Great Bend area bands. 

Survivors include three daughters Maggie McKain of Osborne, Mary McMahan and her husband Bryan of Piedmont, South Dakota, JoAnn Ishmael and her husband Dugan of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Darlene (Orth) Boley; and son-in-law, C.J. McKain.

“You are history the moment you are born. Our births and deaths are recorded dates. What happens between those dates is our story. Don’t turn up your nose at history, because YOU are history.” – Joseph Boley

Visitation will be held Sept. 11, 2024, from noon to 8 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil at 7 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 12, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to Barton County Historical Society or Great Bend Municipal Band, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Rd.

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 7, 2024