Edward L. Tracy

Edward Lee Tracy was born in Denver, Colorado to Robert Leroy and Agnes Marie Tracy on June 25, 1953.  He graduated from Fairbury High School in 1971 and then entered the United States Army.  He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona  and was honorably discharged in December of 1973.  He returned to Fairbury where he began to chase a little cutie named Joyce Ann Watts. They married on August 16, 1975.  Ed joined the Methodist Church and was confirmed and baptized on March 27, 1977.  He continued to be active in the church throughout his life, serving for many years as a trustee.  Ed began working for Chappell Roofing, then Hunt Distributing delivering Pepsi until he found out he and Joyce were expecting and he wanted to work in Fairbury full-time.  Ed then began working for Fairbury Light and Water in the water department for three years before transferring to become a First Class Lineman.  He worked there until 2015 when he was forced to retire because of his health.  Throughout his life Ed enjoyed playing baseball, starting as a kid.  As an adult, he played fast pitch with many of his good friends until they all got a little too old and had to switch to Durfee's slow pitch softball team.  Ed enjoyed not only the games, but times in Durfee's bar afterwards.  After his son Michael was old enough to play, he coached his team until he graduated from high school and started over again with a new set of little league kids just for fun.  He did this for several more years, even talking his son into helping one year.  Ed was also an active member of the Jaycee's and the Elks Club throughout this time.  One of Ed's greatest joys was spending time with his grandsons.  He loved to watch them play baseball, football and play with them in the yard.  In more recent years, he and Joyce enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Mackinaw Island and another to Alaska.  Ed also did many home improvements.  He loved to fix things and tinker until the very end.

He is survived by his wife Joyce of Fairbury, his son Michael and his wife Holly of Lincoln, grandsons Cooper and Emmett of Lincoln, brothers Larry, Ken, Doug, Bill, Cliff, and Bobby, sister-in-law and brother-in law Amy and Bob Kroeker of Jansen, brother-in-law Dennis Watts of Fairbury, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 10:30 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury with Pastor Victor Peterson officiating.  The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Monday evening from 5 - 7.  Memorials have been established to the United Methodist Church - Fairbury.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.