Cailey Breanne Tillapaugh passed away on September 5, 2026, leaving the town of Clearwater feeling the quiet weight of her loss. She was 26 years old. Anyone who spent time with her knew she was not the type to blend into the background. She was funny, outspoken, and protective of the people she loved.
She was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 19, 1999. Cailey moved through life with steady determination and a sharp sense of humor. She grew up stubborn in the best ways, always ready to speak her mind and make sure her family knew she had their backs.
After graduating from Central of Burden High School in 2017, Cailey moved to Manhattan, Kansas, to attend college. She spent six years working toward her degree at Kansas State University. In 2023, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, a goal she had chased with real grit.
Her time at K-State turned her into a lifelong Wildcat fan. Fall weekends were all about football, wearing purple, and shouting her favorite game-day phrase: “What is today? It’s Caturday!” For Cailey, football Saturdays were a sacred ritual shared with friends and family.
Outside of game days, Cailey built a steady career at Gage Chiropractic Center in Derby, Kansas. She worked hard, cared about the patients, and brought a light energy to the clinic every morning. Her coworkers came to count on her quick wit and reliable work ethic.
At home, she enjoyed simple routines like cooking, meal prepping, and listening to Megan Moroney songs. She loved collecting cacti and teddy bears, decorating with pink, and hanging out with her dog, Boone, and her cat, Eloise. Family was always at the center of her world, and she loved keeping everyone awake just a little longer during family gatherings.
Cailey is survived by her mother, Shannon Tillapaugh, her grandmother, Carol Tillapaugh, and her sisters, Taivyn and Jaicey. She also leaves behind her nephew Airion Bryant, her boyfriend Garrett Bacon, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Jon Tillapaugh, and her great-grandfather, George Kenyon. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Grenola Community Building in Grenola, Kansas.
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