Leon F. Kelly

failure. Leon was born on May 26th, 1926 in Dothan, Alabama to Dr Alto L. Kelly and

Frances E. Kelly.

His family moved to Kansas City in 1931 and he resided there until High School. He

attended S.B. Ladd Elementary School and Central Jr High School in Kansas City.

He moved, with his family, to Excelsior Springs, Mo in 1941 and graduated from

Excelsior Springs High School in 1944. After graduation he immediately entered the

U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday. In the Navy he was a Gunner’s Mate aboard a troop

ship and survived battles in the Pacific Ocean including Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where

his ship was hit by a Kamakazi plane.

While his ship was being repaired Leon was granted leave and returned to Excelsior

Springs where he married Mary Hockensmith August 25, 1945. They celebrated their

72nd wedding anniversary in 2017.

He was discharged from the Navy in 1946.

Leon attended the University of Kansas City (now UMKC) on the G.I. Bill funding and

graduated in 1950.

After Graduation he was a teacher for 5 years and then was employed by Parke-Davis

Pharmaceutical Company in 1956 as a salesman and retired from that vocation in 1986

Leon was an avid hunter in his youth. He loved nature and spending time in nature.

He loved to fish and take his children and grandchildren fishing. He loved the birds in

his feeders and the wild animals that surrounded his property and his huge garden.

He was a camper with his family and big gardener. He loved growing food, harvesting

food, eating food and sharing food with his family.

One summer when his daughter Kathy owned a restaurant and grocery he grew 900

pounds of tomatoes for her use and sale. He and Mary proudly piled and hauled them

to her store. They were perfect and delicious and inspired the famous ‘killer tomato

sandwich’ that was a hit with everyone.

He loved singing to his children and grandchildren. He would often as an older man

break out in song during family dinners. He knew many old songs and many verses

and could sing them all.

He was a master of rhyme and was always coming up with rhymes from his past or

about people he loved.

Leon was a Christian in faith. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters

Joylyn Claire Reece and Mary Eva Kellogg.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter Kathy Marchant (Michael Martin), son Daniel,

( Paula, ex wife) son Brian ( Mary Alice), son John ( Michelle) 10 grandchildren, Kyanna,

Lorna, Jared, Corey, Patrick, Johanna, Erin, Kiera, Hunter and Aidan and 3 great

grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and caregivers at Wexford Place

Assisted Living who enabled Leon to live with his wife for the last year of his life. We

will be forever grateful for your kindness.

Memorial services will be held January 13, 2018 at Floral Hills Chapel, 7000 Blue Ridge

Blvd, Raytown Mo.

Visitation will be at 1pm followed by Services at 2pm.

In Lieu of flowers please make Memorial Contributions in his honor to the Missouri

Conservation Commission. ( Donations Coordinator, PO BOX 180, Jefferson City, Mo

65102-0180 mcd.mo.gov)