Robert Leroy Bayley, 75, of Olathe, Kansas passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday, May 4, 2018. He will forever be remembered as a devoted husband; loving father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to everyone he met. “Bob” as he was known to his family and friends was born on “Christmas Day” December 25, 1942 to Edgar Leroy and Margaret Virginia (Mayo) Bayley.
At the age of 10, he lost his mother and his loving grandparents Hebert and Margaret Mayo helped raise Bob. As a youth he enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland. He attended and graduated from Milford Mill High School in Baltimore Maryland. October of 1961, he entered the Air Force and served his country honorably for eight years. As a jet airplane mechanic, he was stationed in Topeka, Omaha, and Marietta, Georgia servicing C5A and KC135 aircrafts. Later he went on to work for Lockheed in Atlanta. In 1972 he moved to Olathe and worked for A.B. Dick printing company for 25 years as a printing press mechanic.
Bob was an avid model railroader and train collector. He enjoyed working on his model railroad layout while being a member of several clubs. For over 30 years he was involved with: NMRA National Model Railroad Association the Turkey Creek Division, KCNG Kansas City Narrow Gauge Club, and the Mo-Kan Rail Joiners Model Railroad Club.
Bob married the love of his life, Frances M. Stramel on June 5th, 1965 in Topeka. Kansas. Together they raised their daughter Kimberley in Olathe, Kansas. As a family, they enjoyed spending time camping and vacationing to several destinations. Trips included Winnipeg, Canada for a National Model Railroad Convention, Fishtrap Lake in Minnesota, Baltimore, Branson, Durango and Colorado Springs to name a few. Fun times of neighborhood block parties, extended family celebrations and gatherings, or trips across the country with a camper always brought smiles and laughter to Bob.
Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and nothing gave him more pleasure than the time he spent with his grandchildren. Fond memories included watching trains and teaching his grandsons all about model railroading at Union Station, hobby shops, and train shows.
Bob is preceded in death by his grandparents, Herbert and Margret Mayo, parents, Edgar and Virginia Bayley, Aunt Bess and Uncle Howard Bayley, Aunt Etla and Doug Bayley, and cousin Kay Paczkowski. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Frances M. Bayley of the home. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Kimberley Matney and her husband Michael of Osawatomie, Kansas. Left behind to cherish his memory are his two grandchildren, Benjamin and Noah and cousins, Sandra Millenburg of Salsibury, MD, and Jay Paczkowski of Buhl, MN.
Bob will be cremated according to his wishes and ashes spread over the ocean in Maryland.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be offered at: www.mcgilley-frye.com
