Perry Edwin Rubart

Perry Edwin Rubart, formerly of Ulysses, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2023, at home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

All throughout his 91 years, Perry was a man who chose to “Dare to Dream… Dare to Make the Dream Come True.” This phrase—the title of his memoir—encapsulates Perry’s remarkable life.

Perry was born on August 8, 1931, to Webber and Inez (Hunt) Rubart, in Madison, Kansas. Perry wrote in his book that life in the Flint Hills during the Depression was “a constant struggle,” particularly after his mother died in 1937. As a first step toward making his dreams come true, Perry left home at the age of 15, working his way through high school.

On August 11, 1951, he married Dorothy Crooks, and they took up residence in Madison, Kansas where they lived until 1956. In 1952, Perry entered the Army and proudly served his country in Korea. Perry and Dorothy’s early life together saw the birth of their three beloved daughters, Jackie, Teresa, and Debbie. From 1956-1960, the family lived in Drumright, Oklahoma, where Perry worked for Mobil Oil. In 1960, they moved to Ulysses, where Perry owned and operated Mobil Oil Bulk Distributors. Soon thereafter, he realized more of his dreams when he opened Perry’s Tire and Supply in 1969 and later the Rusty Windmill antiques store. He was also part owner of The Peddler’s Inn and Southwest Kansas Bank.

Perry never met a stranger, happily striking up conversations with everyone he met, and he regularly sought ways to serve and bless others. He was faithfully involved in the Church of Christ, both locally and internationally. He loved preaching at other congregations around Ulysses as well as participating in mission trips abroad. He was active in the local Rotary Club for many years, hosting foreign exchange participants as well as going overseas as a participant. From 1981 to 2019 he was also an active member on the Board of Directors of Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, Western Prairie Care Home, Grant County Industrial Development, Southwest Kansas Bank, York College, Western Fuels, Western Fuels Service Corporation, Western Power Products, High Plains Energy, Pioneer Electric, Sunflower Electric, Kansas Electrical Cooperatives and National Rural Electric Coop. In 2019, Perry and Dorothy moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to be closer to more family.

During his lifetime, among his loved ones, he was best known for working incredibly hard, keeping an abundant garden, and picking and shucking truckloads of corn. With a broad grin and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he loved telling jokes and singing off-key with great enthusiasm to his grandchildren! He also played a mean game of Rummikub. He and Dorothy spent many hours going all over the country collecting “treasures” and then restoring them.

Perry leaves behind his wife of 71 years, Dorothy; daughters, Jackie (Wendell) Beall, and Debbie ( Kenney) Sneyd: and son-in-law, Greg Grounds. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, as well as his sister, Charlotte Mueller, and numerous other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, sisters, Mary Sanchez and Ethel McGhee, and brother, Donald Rubart. His cherished daughter, Teresa, gained her heavenly reward earlier last year and greeted him in heaven.

In all his dreaming and daring, Perry truly left an inspiring mark on this world, and he will be greatly missed. We know that as he always prayed, he has been proven faithful in service to God and has been given a home in heaven. Please join us to celebrate Perry’s life when we gather for a visitation from 5-7pm on January 12th, at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses, Kansas, and at a funeral service at 2pm on January 13th, at the Ulysses Church of Christ. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery with military rites conducted by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79. In lieu of flowers, donations in Perry’s memory may be made to Sunset International Bible Institute, Global Relief Ministry for Ukraine, or to the Kansas Honor Flight program in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.