David Michael Gailey was born on October 23, 1941 at Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, KS to the parents Hubert Hicks Gailey and Leone Blanche Gailey. He grew up in the towns of Cambridge, Coffeyville, and Kansas City. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boys Scouts of America. David graduated in 1958 from High School in Kansas City, KS.
After High School, David enlisted into the US Navy where he served 3 years on the USS Firm. David spent these 3 years floating around the South Pacific on a minesweeper searching for old mines from WWII and raising some hell. One of his fondest memories from this time of his life was hanging out with the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem on the California coast line. This music became a passion later in his life as part of his Irish and Scottish heritage. He received his honorable discharge from the US Navy in August of 1962.
David then began his college education in Industrial Arts at Pittsburgh State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts. It was here that he met the love of his life, Lora Ann Viers. After graduation David and Lora were married on March 24, 1967 in Kansas City, KS. She calmed him down and together they became an unstoppable team in raising their family. It was at this time David began his career with the Kansas School System working in the Greater Kansas City area as an Industrial Arts Teacher.
David and Lora, lost their first child, Lora Jo Gailey, born as a stillborn on October 25, 1970. She is buried in Kansas City, KS. On June 29, 1973, Michael Patrick Gailey was born at Bethany Hospital. Three years later, on May 27, 1976, Rebecca Lynn Gailey was born, also at Bethany Hospital. David attended the University of Kansas to obtain his Master’s Degree in School Administration and would later receive his Specialist Degree, also in School Administration.
He left teaching Industrial Arts in 1976 and moved to Tribune, KS where he was the High School Principal for 10 years. In 1986, David accepted the High School Principal position in Kinsley, KS. He advanced his career in 1988 and became the High School Superintendent of Schools in Cedar Vale, KS. He moved to Axtell, KS as Superintendent from 1991 to 1997. David retired from School Administration from Haddam, KS in 1998 after a 22-year career as a School Adminstrator for the State of Kansas. After retirement, both David and Lora moved back to Olathe, KS where they were closer and could enjoy more time with their family.
Lora Gailey, faithful wife, passed away on July 9, 2008. David never remarried and continued to live in Olathe until June, 2015, when he relocated to Ottawa, KS to be closer to his daughter Rebecca. David lived in Ottawa Kansas until his death on January 13, 2019. He is survived by both children, Michael Patrick Gailey of Vancouver, WA and Rebecca Lynn (Gailey) Kuntz of Ottawa, KS. He has seven grandchildren; Timothy Folley, Chandler Folley, Triston Gailey, Abigail Kuntz, Madison Gailey, Chloe Kuntz, and Lora Kuntz.
David Gailey touched the lives of thousands of individuals across the State of Kansas while providing for his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
