Rodney Lee Lesh

November 12, 1937 - June 13, 2021

Rodney L. Lesh passed away June 13th, 2021 at South Wind Home - he was 83 years old. Rodney was born on November 12th, 1937 in Norton County Kansas. He was the 2nd of 4 boys born to Ronald and Winona Lesh. Rodney married Kay Moyer on December 23rd, 1961 and they remained married for 59 ½ years. He attended school in Pratt, KS and graduated from high school in 1955. Rodney always said “no one ever enjoyed high school as much as I did”, and he also always insisted “I didn’t paint the water tower in ‘55, I just held the paint can so my good buddy Jim Raush could paint it”. In 1955 he joined the Air Force and, after basic training, he was selected to be in Air Traffic Control. He was assigned to Tokyo Center and then transferred to Kwajalein Center in the Marshall Islands. After his discharge from the Air Force, he attended Kansas State University and later moved to Topeka, KS where he graduated from Washburn University. Rodney and Kay returned to Pratt in 1969 and he accepted a job at the People’s Bank. He served Board of the Pratt County United Way and was active with the Miss Kansas Pageant. He was also active in the Jaycees and served as president. Rodney was appointed to the Pratt City Commission - he was elected 4 times and served for nearly 13 years, acting as Mayor for 3 years. He was the first president of the Economic Development group, and he served as the Director of the Red Cross blood drive for 10 years. Rodney had 3 loves - his family, his country and his city. Rodney and Kay loved to travel and were able to visit 43 countries. They enjoyed taking their grandchildren on many of their trips. The highlight of their travels was when all 10 family members were able to go to Hawaii to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, Kay Lesh of Pratt; daughters Stephanie A (Steve) Sewell of Overland Park and Susan L. (Chris) Mayberry of Pratt; brother, Gregg Lesh of Wichita; four grandchildren, Sydney (Blaine) Warden of Leawood, Shannon Sewell of Overland Park, Thomas Mayberry of Pratt and Madison (Blade) Nicholas of Kansas City; niece, Kerri Lesh; nephews, Andrew (Mary) Lesh, Rick Lorentz, Jay Lorentz, Joel Lorentz, and Ryan Lorentz; and a great grandchild on the way. Rodney is preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Winona Lesh; brothers, Cleve Lesh and Dennis Neil Lesh. Cremation has taken place. Friends may sign the book Friday, June 18th, 2021 from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM with family receiving friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt, KS. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 19th, 2021 at First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Pratt Regional Medical Center, Hope Center or First United Methodist Church.