Otis Presson Dewey

Otis Presson Dewey

May 30, 1930 - March 15, 2016

COLBY, Kan. -- Otis Presson Dewey, 85, of McDonald, Kan., died Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby.

He was born May 30, 1930, in Denver, Colo., to Chauncey and LaVon (Presson) Dewey. Otis graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute, where he played basketball and polo. He served in the United States Navy and was a lifetime member of the VFW. He married Ellen Kogl on Feb. 28, 1962, at the Sacred Heart Church of Atwood.

In his early years, Otis was a steer wrestler and roped in rodeos all around the country. Otis's real passion was raising cattle and being a rancher. Otis and Junior took over the ranch after their father died in 1959, while Otis continued ranching for the next 57 years. He loved the country life; breaking, raising and riding horses, along with hunting.

In the early 1960s, Otis started an annual Team Ropings and Tie Down Steer Ropings at the ranch, drawing many top names in rodeo; this continued for many years. He was a true friend to many and enjoyed serving cowboy ice tea to those who came to visit on the ranch.

Otis was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Chauncey Dewey Jr.

He is survived by his wife Ellen, of McDonald; son, Tom (Kelly) Dewey, McDonald; daughter Linda (J.R.) Hahn, Hays, Kan. and grandchildren, Tayten and Tru Dewey; sisters-in-law, Deanna Dewey, Ella Kogl and Laura Craig; brother-in-law, Ed (Elaine) Kogl, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2016, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March, 18, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood with burial to follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to the Colby VFW, Colby Sons of the American Legion or the American Legion in McDonald, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com.

Baalmann Mortuary in Atwood is in charge of arrangements.