Elwood C. Woody Tinsley

Elwood C. “Woody” Tinsley, 89, Vice President of Sales for Superior Supply, passed away Friday, January 17, 2020. Funeral Service, 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 24, at Believers Southern Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Ivan and Nora Tinsley; first wife, June; daughter, Lori Ann; sisters, Eileen and Charlotte; brothers, Curtis and Stanley Tinsley; stepdaughter, Kimberlee McElhaney. Survivors: wife, Doris; daughter, Vici (Eric) McClure of Colwich; adopted son, Leonard Dezeeuw (Chris); sister, Fern Stapleman; grandchildren, Joshua, Gabriel and Caitlin McClure; great-grandchildren, Jack, Asher and Mila McClure; stepson, Bradley (Kristyn) McElhaney. Memorials established with American Legion, 401 N. Main, McPherson, KS 67460 and Believers Southern Baptist Church, 13909 W. 21st Street N., Wichita, KS 67235 http://go2believers.com/. Downing & Lahey West. Elwood C. “Woody” Tinsley, 89, passed away Friday, January 17, 2020 in Wichita, Kansas. He was born at home in Canton, Kansas, and grew up as a farm kid in that area. Being the youngest of six siblings, and being 7 years younger than the next sibling, he learned at an early age to entertain himself. Elwood always had a dog, always named Pat. He and his dog spent much time outside learning to hunt rabbits, quail, pheasant and squirrel. He also taught himself different sounds of birds and would practice doing various bird calls in the woods. As he became older, Elwood taught himself how to fix old cars, and he enjoyed taking apart and putting together again engines and such. Elwood graduated high school from Canton High School and began farming. In 1950 he met Ramona June Bugbee and they began dating long distance for about a year. On December 23, 1951 they married and lived on a farm in Canton, Kansas. Shortly thereafter, Woody was drafted into the army during the Korean Conflict. He served his tour at the base in Ft. Riley, Kansas. In 1953 he was discharged from the army and went back to farming. In 1956 Woody and June welcomed their daughter, Vici, into their life. Soon after returning home from the army, Elwood began taking a course in heating and refrigeration installation and repair of units for commercial companies. He began his career in this field in Hutchinson, Kansas. In 1962, he and June moved to Wichita, Kansas, and he began working for Superior Supply Company. In 1964 Woody and June welcomed another daughter, Lori Ann, into the family. Lori went to be with the angels at age 4 months. Elwood worked his way up to Sales Manager of the company and thoroughly enjoyed his career at Superior for many years, retiring in 1992. June passed away in March, 2013, and Woody met Doris McElhaney that same year. They married in 2014. He credited her with adding six wonderful years to his life. Woody was a lifelong learner. Though he never attended college, he loved history, politics, and travel. He read many, many books pertaining to his favorite topics. He traveled to many countries including most of Europe, Africa, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Israel and Egypt. He watched the news almost religiously, paying close attention to politics in the US and around the world. His hobbies included bird hunting for quail and pheasant, always with an English Pointer dog named Pat. He had 3 dogs, and loved each one of them. He and June spent many weekends, summers, and holidays at their cabin in Yankee Run at Kanapolis Reservoir. Woody taught the grandkids how to drive the boat, and how to ride four wheelers on the trails around the lake. Professionally, Woody belonged to RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineering Society), the Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion in McPherson, Kansas. He also served in various capacities in his church, including treasurer, elder, and deacon at the Maize Congregational Christian Church. Woody spent his life helping other people. His family and friends were very important to him. His faith in God was quiet and ever present. He passed very peacefully from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Woodys Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 24, at Believers Southern Baptist Church. Memorials established with American Legion, 401 N. Main, McPherson, KS 67460 and Believers Southern Baptist Church, 13909 W. 21st Street N., Wichita, KS 67235. Arrangements by Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.