Francis "Bud" "Bud" Leiker

Francis Joseph “Bud” Leiker, 78, of Desoto, KS. passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 27, 2015. He will forever be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to everyone he met.

Bud was born on October 9, 1936 in Hays, Kansas to Aquilinus and Rose (Frank) Leiker. He attended and graduated from Olathe High School in 1954. He served his country honorably in the U.S Navy. Bud married the love of his life Elizabeth Jean Miller on September 7, 1957. Through this union their two sons were born Todd and Kent. Bud and his wife Jean were members of St. Paul Catholic Church. In his early years Bud was an active member of the Jaycee’s Club and the Missouri Valley Brittany Club. He was a coach and a referee of many youth sports. He enjoyed the outdoors and liked bird hunting. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and with his grandchildren at their sporting events.

Bud was known to reward extra base hits, goals and touchdowns. Bud always carried extra change in his pockets so that when his grandkids asked, “Hey Grandpa? Got any pockets?” he had something to give them. Bud was well known in the community as the neighborhood barber. He owned and operated Bud Leiker’s Barber Shop for over 20 years in Olathe, Kansas. Being a barber during the era of long hair was trying but his business motto was, “We cut hair long.”

Bud is preceded in death by his parents: Aquilinus and Rose Leiker and sister Laurine Cullison. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Jean Leiker of the home, two sons: Todd Leiker of Desoto, KS., and Kent Leiker and his wife Vicki of Lenexa, KS. Left behind to cherish his memory are his three grandchildren: Brittney Kinsman and her husband Matthew, Andrew Leiker and Garrett Leiker. He will be sadly missed by his two great granddaughters: Tenley and Sloane Kinsman along with one brother Harold Leiker and his wife Patty of Olathe, Kansas.