DERBY — Bruce Duane Basye, 69, passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2026, at Glen Carr House Memory Care in Derby, Kan., after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bruce was born on Aug. 23, 1956, in Hoisington, Kan., to Richard and Joyce (Mathews) Basye. In 1984, he married Mary Sercu, and together they raised three daughters. Though their marriage later ended, his identity as a father remained constant and central.
Bruce served in the United States Air Force in his early adulthood. He earned a Master’s degree in geology and worked for many years for the State of Kansas. He was proud of his education and made clear to his daughters that theirs mattered too.
When his girls were young, Bruce coached his daughters’ basketball teams, acting as the conditioning coach who made them run drills and build stamina. He believed in hard work and commitment. As they grew older, he remained just as involved, trading the whistle for a camera. Photography became a serious hobby. He invested in lenses, studied technique, and documented countless games and events; he left lasting memories for many.
He hunted with his brothers and loved the Fourth of July, especially the fireworks. He loved playing sports and staying active, and he remained a devoted football and KU basketball fan.
He is survived by his daughters, Katey Basye and her husband Josh Gonzalez of Sacramento, Calif., Addie Brown and her husband Tane of Cascade, Colo., and Amanda Mauro and her husband Joe of Las Vegas, Nev. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Eleanor, Astra, Athena, Harrison, and Genevieve, who he would have delighted in had he been able to. He also leaves behind his brothers, Steve Basye (Vickie) of Hoisington and Doug Basye (Linda) of Great Bend; and his companion, Jan McKee of Derby. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bruce will be deeply missed as a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered for his steadiness, his insistence on education and effort, his sense of humor, and his commitment to the people he loved.
Because of his long illness, his grandchildren knew him primarily in his later years. His family hopes they will come to know him more fully through the stories shared by those who loved him. Those who would like to contribute memories or photographs are invited to participate in a collaborative memory book being created in his honor.https://www.storyworth.com/join/bruce-basye-memorial-book-523593
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, with the family present to receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., all at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Private family graveside services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26. Memorials may be made out to Good Shepherd Hospice, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 21, 2026
