Gaylord Salisbury

Gaylord Salisbury, 70, of Ellettsville, Indiana and formerly of Independence, Missouri, passed peacefully into life eternal on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Garden Villa nursing home while surrounded by his wife and children. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at Raytown Christian Church, 6108 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133. The family is hosting a pot-luck dinner immediately after the memorial service in the fellowship hall to share and reminisce. All are invited to attend. Gaylord was born December 15, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri to William Leroy and Mary (Beasley) Salisbury. He graduated from East High School in 1963, achieving rank of First Sergeant in JROTC, and from William Jewell College in 1968. On October 30, 1964, he married his long-time sweetheart, H. Joanne Brachear in Kansas City. Gaylord was known for his passionate commitment to excellence both throughout his career and in his personal life. After working for times as a minister, grocery store clerk, insurance adjuster, insurance agent and auditor, he enjoyed a long career as a bus operator and customer service agent for the KCATA and retired only six years before his passing. Gaylord was a deep thinker and constantly pressed those who knew him to look past the obvious, make educated decisions and take calculated risks. Gaylord was also an accomplished self-taught musician, inspiring many of his children and grandchildren to similar success. His most happy moments were playing and singing gospel hymns surrounded by friends and family. He was known by all as a person who would devote enormous time and effort to worthy causes and help anyone in need. Gaylord is survived by his wife, Joanne, his daughter Betty Jo Hilger and her husband Gene of Ellettsville, IN, his son Gaylord and his wife Lori of Raytown, MO, his daughter Lorri Schneider and her husband Mark of Warrensburg, MO, his daughter Joy Fry and her husband David of Independence, MO, his daughter Dorothy Snow and her husband Derek of Independence, MO, several grandchildren, including Chad Lewis, David Hilger, Niki (Lewis) Cannon, Kirsten Salisbury, Kara Snow, Chris Fry, Megan Salisbury, Morgan Salisbury, Rachel (Snow) Green, Dalton Hilger, Samantha Snow, Elizabeth (Snow) Sampson, Jeremiah Snow, Chris Lewis and Alex Fry, several great-grandchildren, including Bradon, Kaycee, Courtney, Hailey, Michael, Vera, Emerald, Zakai and Harrison and numerous nieces and nephews. Gaylord was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Mary, his brothers Gary, William (Larry) and Gene.

Gaylord Salisbury

December 15, 1945 - September 17, 2016