Virgil ‘Bubba’ Earl Elsey, Jr. 60, passed away January 22, 2023 at Hospice House, Hutchinson, KS. He was born July 21, 1962, to Virgil E. Elsey, Sr. and Ima (Summers) Elsey.
Bubba attended Minneola High School and was an outstanding football player. He was awarded ‘First Team All-State Linebacker’ his junior and senior years of high school. In 1980, Bubba’s senior year, he was proud and honored to have been named ‘First Team All-State Running Back’ and ‘Defensive Player’ of the year for the Hutchinson, Wichita, and Kansas City newspapers.
After graduating, he attended college at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. After college, he began to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘Champion Team Roper’. Bubba worked as a cowboy at numerous feedlots in Kansas and Oklahoma. He loved horses, two-steppin’ to country music, and being a cowboy.
On May 12, 1989, Bubba married Vickie Renee Marker, in Garden City, KS. The love of his life, Vickie, passed away on August 25, 2019.
Bubba is survived by: his father, Virgil E. Elsey, Sr. (LuAnn) of Minneola, KS; mother, Ima Gray of Salina, KS; brothers, Rod Elsey (Pam) of Sublette, KS, and Craig Elsey (Tina) of Minneola, KS; sister, Sue Beecham (Evan) of Hillrose, CO; sister-in-law, Diana Lyons (Ralph) of Hutchinson; brothers-in-law, Jeff Marker (Roxanna) of Hutchinson, and John Marker (Michelle) of Land O Lakes, FL; numerous nieces and nephews whose hearts were touched by him in many ways; and canine puppy, Spinner.
He was preceded in death by his wife, and a longtime little canine yorky, Skooter.
Cremation has taken place. Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2023, at Eastside Cemetery, 500 S. Cleveland, Hutchinson, with Pastor Montie McFerrin officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice House, Hutchinson, or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.