Les (Leslie E.) Harrod

A celebration of life will be held at a later date for Les Harrod, 71, Lawrence. He passed away Friday, January 22, 2021 at the Prairie Elder Care Harmony House in Overland Park, KS where he had been a resident since February of 2020.

Les Harrod was born March 10, 1949 to Pete and Laurene Johnston Harrod of Yates Center, KS. He graduated from Yates Center High School in 1967 where he excelled in academics and student government along with being president of his senior class. Les was a gifted athlete in all sports but his great love of baseball was evident by his skill as a talented pitcher. A serious football injury ended his career; however, he continued to be an avid outdoors and sportsman, longtime fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and faithful member of the Jayhawk Nation. He graduated from Emporia State University in 1972 with a degree in Business and Economics.

In 1973, as the director of the Kansas 4H Foundation event center at Rock Springs Ranch, Les met and soon married Cheryl Van Hoesen of Lawrence. By 1977 he had accepted a position in Lawrence as Production Manager for Burnett Instruments, a division of C.R. Bard, Inc. He remained with the company throughout his career, retiring after 28 years of service.

Family always came first and Les was a devoted husband of almost 48 years and an engaged and loving father to his children, Emily and Megan. His grandchildren were clearly one of his greatest joys. The epitome of kindness and generosity, the happiest of memories occurred on countless family trips exploring the great outdoors of the Rocky Mountains and fly fishing the Taylor River Canyon. Traditional summer campouts and pheasant hunts with his dad, uncle, brothers, nephews and friends were annual highlights. His was truly a life well lived.

Preceded in death by his parents, Les is survived by his wife Cheryl, daughters, Emily Ford (Jason) Overland Park and Megan Goff (Troy) Lawrence, grandchildren Elizabeth and Michael Ford and Mila and Zoey Goff, brothers Charles W. (Ann), Wichita, Lauren (Margaret), Yates Center, numerous nieces and nephews, and friend Don Willard (Debbie), Topeka, KS.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the administration and staff of the Harmony House at Prairie Elder Care and Ascend Hospice in Overland Park. Their exceptional care and genuine concern for Les will forever be remembered by his family and friends.

Due to the Covid Pandemic a private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Kansas Department of Wildlife , Parks and Tourism or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, KS.