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Ed Massey Obituary

Ed Massey was born in Detroit, Michigan July 6, 1936. His accomplishments on the local and Colorado bowling scenes and in the southwest region of the Professional Bowlers Association are truly outstanding. Ed owns seven Colorado Springs Bowling Association City Tournament titles and five State championships. He won two Southwest Regional PBA titles. He received the Pat Patterson Award for contributions and advancements benefiting the PBA. He rolled 300 games in both PBA competition and sanctioned league play. He holds two sanctioned 800 series (802 and 802) and as far back as 1971 he broke the 800-series "mental barrier" by shooting 258, 268, 269 for a 795 series at Bowl-Mor lanes in Colorado Springs. That mark held for a number of years as one of the very rare highest series in the State of Colorado during an era when scoring conditions in bowling were extremely difficult. In 1970 he beat a field of 38 of Colorado's best bowlers for the only spot allotted to Colorado for the U.S. Open Championship. In 1978, he held high average in both of the only two scratch leagues in Colorado Springs: the Colorado Springs Open at Bowl-Mor Lanes (219); and at King Pin Lanes (218). He was honored as Colorado Springs Bowling Association Bowler of the year twice and was a member of its All Star Team three times. He served as President of the CSBA and he was a major contributor to the establishment of the very successful Colorado Springs Masters Tournament. He was a strong supporter of the CSBA annual bowling awards banquet. In 1993 he was inducted into the Colorado State United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, Performance Category, along with Richard Stark of Glenwood Springs, behind Chub Vunovich (1988), Frank Tavella Sr. (1989), and George McDonald (1992). Ed loved golf, and was very proud to have hit a hole-in-one at the Eisenhower Blue Course to complement his stellar bowling career. Ed served 20 years in the United States Air Force. He supported the Space Surveillance Mission while stationed at Ent Air Force Base. In 1962 he became stationed at the United States Air Force Academy. He also served 22 years in the Air Force Civil Service while managing the Community Center Bowling Lanes at the Academy while serving as its head professional. He dedicated most of his life to the people and sport of bowling. He loved his family deeply and he cared a great deal about the people of bowling, coordinating leagues and tournament competition with the support and involvement of his wife Joanne, providing professional bowling instruction, and helping to evolve the CSBA and the PBA. On countless occasions, he overwhelmed his fans with his awe-inspiring, dramatic bowling performances. During his life he and Joanne were part-owners of King Pin Lanes, and he managed the bowling lanes and ran the pro shop at the Air Force Academy. Year after year, he would never miss being there the day after Christmas to provide custom fits for the kids and adults who received new bowling balls as Christmas presents. Along with Eunice Kennedy and Mike Barker, he was an ardent supporter of the Children's Special Olympics. He will be remembered as a great contributor and a great competitor, with demonstrated sportsmanship and absolute honesty; always handling victory and defeat with grace, style, and dignity. Great bowlers like Ed Massey never die; they just fade away. He is preceded in death by his parents Ed Homer and Margaret Massey, half-sister Doris; and Alan Bradley, Ed and Joanne's first son, who was buried at F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, in April 1957. He is survived by his wonderful, dedicated wife Joanne of over 54 years, his daughter and grand daughter Vicki Webster and Mary Van Der Wege, and his son and grandson Bob and Ross Massey. Services will be held Friday February 26, 2010, 10:30 AM, (please arrive early) at the United States Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel. For those who love bowling, and those who may have known of Ed Massey's legacy, you won't want to miss his service where he will be awarded full military honors. Bob will provide eulogy of Ed's life. The family welcomes bowlers and friends to sign and leave comments on Ed's guestbooathttp://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gazette/. Selected comments will be read at the service, time permitting. Reception will immediately follow at the Air Force Academy Community Center Bowling Lanes. Ed asked that any contributions be made to the Special Olympics.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Feb. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Ed Massey

Not sure what to say?





H A

February 1, 2024

Ed was a real gentleman and a true friend. I was proud to be his friend.

Charlotte K. DeLange

March 6, 2010

Dear Joanne--

I am in AZ and just found out of the passing of Ed! I am so sorry! I worked with him for over 20 years at the USAFA and he was one of my favorite NAF managers! He always gave me a challenge and kept me on my toes! Never could teach me to bowl! My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

February 25, 2010

All,

These are wonderful entries.

Thank you !

-- The Massey Family

Ann and Don Gaskill

February 25, 2010

Joanne, Bob, and Vicki, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Ed was a first class person and we'll always remember him when our children were growing up at the Academy Lanes. Each one of them took bowling lessons and Ed would fit them for bowling shoes and bowling balls. It was a special time in our family's life. May God bless you.

Lee Cromwell

February 25, 2010

Ed Massey, I am not sure what to say about one of the greatest bowling personality that colorado Springs has ever had. Mr. Bowling, up untill he tore his rotor cuff was one of the best on the lane ever. Will miss him. Great family, Joanne, Bob, Vicki, my simpathy.

February 24, 2010

My deepest sympathy is extended to the Family of Ed Massey. He was a great bowler and a good friend, he will be missed.

Sincerely,
Norm Clark Sun City, AZ

February 24, 2010

I spent many hours in bowing centers with Ed, bowling with him and against. He always appeared calm but the competitive juices churned inside him. I also spent many days on the golf course with him, and many days and evenings having dinner, playing cards, or just talking. We were together on the CS Bowling association together, and alon with Lee Cromwell started the Colorado Springs Masters Tournament. Him being from Michigan and myself ftom Ohio, for several years we bet a bottle of benedictine on "the game". My kids babysat Bob and Vicki. Ed was a very excellent bowler, and a very excellent person to be around. I enjoyed my time with Ed and his family.
Joanne, Bob, Vicki, I send my deepest sympathy. Dick Feasel

February 24, 2010

Ed was my Daddy he not only gave me life once but everlasting, he who could
not quit smoking himself gave me his
Chantex and after 35 years I was able
to quit! Thank You Dad! You will forever me missed! Your loving Daughter
Vicki

Larry Parks

February 23, 2010

Ed was a very even going guy. Was a very consistant, good bowler. Had his own brand of "dry" humor! Class person!

Tony Ricci

February 23, 2010

I remember that bowling with Ed was comfortably competative, and always a pleasure. Heartfelt condolences. Tony Ricci

Robert Massey

February 23, 2010

Ed Massey dedicated much of his life to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation of the servicemen and women, and their families stationed at the US Air Force Academy. He had first-hand experience of the challenges they faced. He wouldn't hesitate to help anyone that he could. -Bob Massey

February 23, 2010

Joanne,
You are in our hearts and prayers. We know how much you'll miss Ed, but remember his is with your other son making heaven a better place for when it is time for all of you to be together again

Stan and Patty Loewenkamp

Ann Sanders

February 22, 2010

Joanne, Vicki and Bob

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We had alot of fun being neighbors with you. I can remember the times we sat out in the hot tub. I know Ed was the love your life Joanne and he will be missed by all.

Clarence 'Clare' Sumner

February 22, 2010

I worked for Ed at the Academy Lanes for 3 years (78 to 81) while I was assigned at the Photo Lab. I enjoyed my years of bowling, working for, and playing golf with Ed and Bob. I have a lot of great memories of our golf outings at the Eisenhower golf course. Back then our foursome was Dick DuBoise, Ed, Bob, and myself. Yes, we were Bowler's with a golf addiction. He was a great person and an awesome bowler.

Chuck Thompson

February 21, 2010

Good person as well as a great bowler. With sympathy.

February 21, 2010

Ed Massey was truly a impact on me. I remember Sgt Massey when I first bowled youth leagues in the early 70"s. The smile on his face on his face and the cost of bowling was 3 games and shoes were a dollar. I followed his career in the Gazette when they posted the weekly score. I joined the military and was stationed at Yokota AB, Japan. Ed's name was known Air Force wide. I bowled with a few who knew Ed and admired him.He was the first person contacted when I got back, so he could drill 2 new balls for me. I had the privilege to bowl against him in Intramurals and becoming the House Rep to the Colorado Bowling Association. Ed was always willing to say "Hi" and have a moment to chat. I have bowled my only 700 series in "his" house. The smiles and laughter will be remembered along with his single can of beer at the end of the day of work. I had the privilege to know him and the impact will be long lasting... Tim Gudridge

February 21, 2010

Ed was more than just my father-in-law he was also my friend .He was easy to talk to,golf with,hang out with,and i will truly miss him

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

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