Leonard Dale Rector

Dale passed away peacefully with his children and grandchildren at his side, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the age of 90, in Winfield, Kansas. He was born to George and Leoria (McClure) Rector on June 18, 1936, in Zincville, Oklahoma.

On October 13, 1961, Dale married the love of his life, Carolyn Kirkham in Wichita, Kansas. Together they had two children, Bill Rector and Richard Rector. As a family they took many family vacations to Florida, California Branson and numerous other places. They spent many summers traveling with the boys, following their baseball careers. After the boys were older and moved out of the home, they traveled extensively, including Hawaii, England and Italy.

Dale was drafted to the Army 11/19/1958 and discharged with honors 10/19/1960. He trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana before being assigned to the Korean Peninsula. After his time in the military, he worked for Wilco Paint Inc where he retired after 33 years.

Dale was raised with his 7 siblings in a small farmhouse in The Pitcher, Miami Commerce, Oklahoma area. He told stories of being raised with very little possessions but much love in the family. He shared memories of his dad and siblings playing musical instruments and singing old country music together on the front porch. They all enjoyed that very much! He loved to tell a story of he and his brother Jim walking home from school and throwing their books down to jump their neighbor’s fence to his pasture and jumping on his horses riding bare back until the old farmer would catch them and shoo them home. Sometimes they heard gun shots before running home.

Dale was always ready to help anyone at any time and when people speak of him their words are “he was a sweet man”. He was loved by many friends and family members. He will be missed by many.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn Rector and granddaughter, Savannah Rector. He is survived by his children, Bill (Laura) Rector, Richard (Lisa) Rector; grandchildren, Samantha (Robert) May, Kristin (Dale) Woods, Joshua Allred, Whitney Myers, Trevor (Leslie) Rector and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Kaden, Ella, Case, Charlotte, Riley, Laney, Olivia, Amelia, Evelyn, James; his sister, Anna Rector and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 5 pm – 7 pm with graveside service on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 1 pm, both at Resthaven Mortuary and Cemetery, 11800 W Hwy 54, Wichita, KS 67209.