Gregory "Greg" Allen Balthazor

Gregory A. Balthazor passed away on December 23, 2022, at his home in Stockton, at the age of 77.

He was born on April 26, 1945, to Philip Paul and Dorothy Ellen (Warren) Balthazor in Hays. He married Karla Smith-Tripe on November 5, 1977, in Stockton. They were blessed with 7 children: Germaine, Jeffry, Darrick, Michelle, Layn, Shayn, and Adam.

Greg grew up in Palco and graduated from Palco High School. He attended one year at Fort Hays State University. As a kid he worked for local farmers. After college he worked at Boeing and then Thomas County Bank and Insurance, Oberlin Insurance Agency, Schult Homes, and Watkins Insurance Agency in Plainville until he started his own remodeling business in Stockton.

He served as a Rooks County Commissioner the past four years. He was a member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus in Stockton.

Greg enjoyed building and tinkering on many projects in his home shop which he referred to as his “home depot," attending all his children and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events—often making a “fool” of himself at the games! Greg loved visiting and storytelling with his friends and family; and most of all, he loved his wife and family and was extremely proud of his children and all his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Karla of the home in Stockton; sons: Jeffry Tripe (Jennifer) of Basehor, Darrick Tripe (Trisha) of Topeka, Layn Balthazor (Sara) of Stockton, Shayn Balthazor (Erin) of Stockton, and Adam Balthazor (Jamie) of Stockton; daughters: Germaine Balthazor of Shawnee and Michelle Butts (Tony) of Colby; brother, Terry Balthazor of Columbia, Mo.; sister, Paula Prochazka of Phoenix, Ariz.; 20 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren plus two on the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Dorothy; and brother, Patrick Balthazor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. There will be no public visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Stockton Recreation Commission (for kids’ sports equipment) and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com