Dick Tracy Obituary

Services for Dick Blaylock Tracy will be held on Saturday March 23, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont St., in Lawrence with a reception to follow. Inurnment will be in the Columbarium located in the Matthews Chapel following the service. Dr. Tracy died on Feb. 13, 2024 at Menorah Medical Center.

He was born on Oct. 9, 1936, in Rice County, Kan., the second son of Henry Franklin and Lucy Irene Tracy. He graduated from Bushton Rural High School in Bushton, Kan., in 1954. In 1958 he graduated from Kansas University with a BS degree in education. In 1966 he graduated with a Pd.D degree from Kansas University in Educational Measurement and Evaluation.

Dick married Rita Vanessa Schreiber in Leavenworth, Kansas on May 29, 1964. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rita; his parents, Buck and Lucy Tracy; his brother, the Rev. Max Thomas Tracy; his sister-in-law, Judith Tracy; and his niece, Mary Tracy Slusser (husband Christopher Slusser also deceased). Survivors include his daughter, Vanessa Milota (husband Barry); his grandson, Joshua Milota; and his niece Ellen Tracy.

Dr. Tracy was a public school teacher in Shawnee County from 1958 to 1963. He joined the faculty of the College of Education at The Ohio University in 1966. He subsequently served on the faculty of the Department of Educational Psychology and Research at the University of Kansas from 1970 until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of The American Educational Research Association and the America Psychological Association. In 1993 he received the Chancellor's Award for service on behalf of the University.

Dr. Tracy was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence for many years and served in many ministries. He and his wife Rita were both ordained by The Right Reverend William E. Smalley to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Sept. 9, 2000. He has served as an active deacon at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence since his ordination.

The family suggests memorials to Trinity Episcopal Church or to the Lawrence Community Shelter, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. P.O box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.