Loren Edward Tracy "Lonnie"

Loren Edward Tracy (1930 – 2025)

A son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a United States Marine, and a war hero, Loren “Lonnie” Edward Tracy of Wichita KS died on February 17th, 2025 at the age of 94. 

Loren was born December 15th, 1930 in Wichita to Thomas and Thelma White. As a young boy, Loren lived with his maternal grandparents in Belmont, KS, but when he was 8, he was adopted by his maternal uncle & aunt, Rolin & Agnes Tracy which changed his last name. If you knew Grandpa well, you knew him to always be active, which started at a young age. During the school year in Junior High he worked as a “bottle washer” at the Dr Pepper Bottling Company where his Dad was the manager. His summers were spent at the Belmont farm, working the harvest & visiting his brothers. Grandpa attended North High School in Wichita KS, there he competed as a member of the track team and graduated in 1949. 

Upon graduation, Grandpa enlisted in the Marine Corp, attending boot camp the Summer of 1949. There he excelled, winning the honor platoon pennant, and was selected as the honor man for the platoon. His training specialty was as a small arms tech. Later that same year, he was shipped out with 1st Marine Division, E Company, Second Battalion, 7th Marines, to South Korea where his duties included scout, rifleman, fireteam leader, squad leader, & 3.5 rocket launcher. He would eventually rise to the rank of Corporal. 

A testament to his loyalty, bravery, courage & humility, Corporal Tracy was wounded in action on March 4th, 1951. Six months later, he was wounded in action a second time but continued to fight. For this he was awarded the Silver Star. 

In the three years Grandpa served in Korea he achieved the following recognitions: Silver Star for valor in combat, 2 Purple Hearts, Combat action ribbon for service in Korea, Presidential unit citation awarded to 1st Marine division for service in Korea – April 21st – September 25th, 1951, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation awarded to 1st Marine Division for service during October 26,1950 – July 27, 1953, United Nations Service Medal Rifle sharpshooter Badge.

Following his return from war, Grandpa married the love of his life, Betty Reeder in 1953. They celebrated their 69 th anniversary in 2022 shortly before her passing. Together they had 3 children, Loren E Tracy II, Colleen Tracy (Atherton), & Doreen Tracy (Ewing). 

Grandpa loved nature and had an incredible gift of capturing his love through his artwork, for which he received multiple awards and special recognitions. He was also an outdoor enthusiast participating in activities such as hunting, trapping, fishing, and hiking. But all of those things paled in comparison to his love for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. All 36 of us felt loved and special as he shared his vast knowledge of nature and the outdoors with us. He became the family videographer and was able to capture all his children’s milestones, his grandchildren’s antics, and his great-grandchildren’s special moments. 

Grandpa was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; son, Loren II; grandson, Loren III; son-in-law, William Ewing; parents, Rolin and Agnes Tracy; sister, Diana Samuelson; brothers, Gerald, Merle, and Thornton White. He is survived by his two daughters, Colleen (Tracy) Atherton and husband Craig, Doreen (Tracy) Ewing; grandchildren, Amber (Ewing) Myers and husband Joel, Tiffany (Atherton) Hiebsch and husband Chase, Aubry (Tracy) Rosenberg and husband Mikey, Alyssa (Atherton) Mosley, William L Ewing II, Jynae (Atherton) Wilson and husband Kyle, Bryce Atherton and wife Amalia, Skyler Ewing and wife Brittany, and Prestyn Atherton and wife Nicole; 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Grandpa set a tremendous example of love, patience, humility, courage & bravery and will be missed tremendously by those who knew him.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am, Monday, February 24, at Crossroads Baptist Church, 11441 E. Central Ave. Military honors and interment will occur at 1:30 pm, Monday, February 24, at Kansas Veteran's Cemetery, in Winfield , KS. Memorials to: Kansas Honor Flight, 401 W. 1st Ave., Hutchinson, KS  67501. 

https://kansashonorflight.org/donate/ 

 Share condolences at www.cozine.com. Services by Cozine Memorial Group-Cozine Life Events Center.