04 May KGFA mourns the passing of Gary Bothwell
Gary Mitchell Bothwell, 88, Topeka, Kansas, died peacefully on May 1, 2020.
Gary was born on October 3, 1931, in Marysville, Kansas. He was the youngest child and only son of James and Gladys Mitchell Bothwell. He was nicknamed “Angel” by his two, doting older sisters. He grew up in Marysville during the Great Depression.
Bothwell was a recipient of the Sunflower Award, the highest honor KGFA bestows upon a member, in 2000.
Gary Mitchell Bothwell, 88, Topeka, Kansas, died peacefully on May 1, 2020.
Gary was born on October 3, 1931, in Marysville, Kansas. He was the youngest child and only son of James and Gladys Mitchell Bothwell. He was nicknamed “Angel” by his two, doting older sisters. He grew up in Marysville during the Great Depression.
He went to work for the Union Pacific at a young age and eventually began a long career with the Kansas Grain Inspection Department. Gary was employed by the Kansas Grain Inspection Department for 36 years including 14 years as assistant director. In 1993, Governor Graves asked Gary to lead the Department during privatization. He served as president of the newly formed Kansas Grain Inspection Service until 2000 when he retired.
While working in Belleville, Kansas, he met and married Beverly Jean Post Simpson in 1960. Together, the two widowers combined their families and raised four children. They have resided in Topeka, Kansas since 1964 where their home has always been the place to be for family and friends and making memories to last a lifetime.
Gary was in the Kansas Army National Guard for twelve years and was called up for active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He was stationed at Fort Riley.
Gary was a people person. He loved his family and friends and would do anything for them. He will be remembered for his kindness and loving ways. Gary enjoyed visiting, fishing, hunting, golf, farming and all things to do with wildlife. He traveled throughout the United States and had many memorable trips including fishing in Alaska, shed hunting in Utah, spending time in Smith County and, more recently, a North Central Kansas Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Beverly Bothwell; his children, Bob Simpson (Sandy), Greg Bothwell (Karen) and Tammy Dishman (Jeff); grandsons, Gray Bothwell (Kristin) and Caleb Dishman (Linda); great-grandsons, Liam Bothwell and Jace Dishman; sister-in-law, Helen Fielder; and many treasured nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Simpson, and sisters, Genevieve Fincham and Bonnie Mayhew.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date and announced at that time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kansas Honor Flight, a 501(c)(3) organization. Checks can be mailed to Kansas Honor Flight, PO Box 2371, Hutchinson, KS 67504.