He left an impression on everybody he dealt with and on the district he served as leader for 20 years.
That was the impression of former Emporia High teacher and current National Teachers Hall of Fame Director Carol Strickland, who — along with her husband, Glen — were hired by Hosey in the mid-1980s. Carol Strickland says Hosey was a rare person who was universally liked.
Recently, Hosey became an ardent supporter of the district’s Building for the Future bond initiative to renovate and build new facilities for students. Strickland says that was an example of the diligence Hosey took with every issue pertaining to USD 253.
Hosey was born in Pretty Prairie in 1931. He served in the Army two years before coming to Kansas State Teachers College, now known as Emporia State University, to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He also received his doctorate from Oklahoma State University. Before becoming Emporia’s superintendent, he was a teacher and administrator in Dodge City and an administrator in Medicine Lodge.
Hosey was inducted into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Oklahoma State College of Education Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also extremely busy with community projects and groups, including the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Flint Hills, Lions Club, First United Methodist Church and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Hosey is survived by his wife, three daughters, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Three will be no funeral services due to COVID-19 concerns. Memorial contributions can be made to the Emporia Community Foundation’s Emporia Public School Endowment Fund.
