Leslie Cecil Hall

Leslie C. Hall, 89, of Grandview, MO passed away July 2, 2017. Funeral services will be July 11 at McGilley & George Funeral home, 12913 Grandview Rd. Grandview, MO. Visitation will be 10:00 AM and Funeral to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial in the Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery.

Leslie was born October 1, 1927 in Strasburg, MO the son of Cecil and Helen (Makin). The family soon moved to Grandview where he spent his life. He graduated Grandview High School in 1947 and subsequently from Central Missouri State College in 1951 with a dual major in Mathematics and Industrial Design. He worked for Bendix (Allied-Signal, Honeywell) retiring after 37 years as a Senior Tool Designer eventually being named on several patents.

He met Barbara Joann Morris in 1959 and six months later they were married on June 20, 1959. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. Together they raised four boys in the same house they moved into 6 months after the wedding.

Leslie was deaf from birth and overcame physical and social obstacles to become a leader in the Kansas City deaf community. He served as member of the Kansas City Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities as well as the Missouri Governor’s committee and numerous organizations devoted to elevating the disabled. He was instrumental in beginning the deaf relay phone service. He was a longtime member of First Calvary Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO where he was a deacon and served as the National Treasurer for the Southern Baptist Convention for the Deaf. His contributions to the deaf and disabled communities regionally and nationally are innumerable and his influence is still felt.

Our family lost a wonderful and strong man. The world lost a leader and advocate in the deaf community. He was a hard worker, inventor and man of purpose with great spirit. His sense of optimism and contagious smile brought joy to many.

Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, brother Russell and son Marvin. He is survived by his wife Barbara of the home; son Gary and his wife Janet (Coffey) of Overland Park, KS; son Rick and his wife Jill (Justus) of Indialantic, FL; son Tim and wife Joni (Bishop) of Lee’s Summit, MO and grandchildren Hannah Hall, Sam Hall, Sophia Hall and Lilly Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to: Puerto Rico Deaf Ministries PO Box 7423 Ponce PR 00732-7423. Your condolences may be left at www.mcgilleygeorgegrandview.com Arr: McGilley & George Funeral Home, Grandview, MO 64030 (816-966-0250)