Samuel “Sam” Leland Elliott

Memorial services for Samuel “Sam” Leland Elliott, 77, Lawrence will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at First Christian Church. He passed away Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Stormont-Vail Regional Hospital in Topeka.

Sam was born September 12, 1938 in Salina, the son of Walter Wendell and Frances Leora (Jones) Elliott.

He was a member and Elder of the First Christian Church. Past member and President of Kansas Association of Broadcasters and former mayor of Ulysses. Broadcasting was in his blood, as his parents were both broadcasters in his early years. He played the first Rock-n-Roll in southwestern Kansas on KGNO radio. He was the owner of KULY, a radio station in Ulysses. Sam was a former professor in the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. He was owner and editor of The Flint Hills Independent newspaper in Eskridge. At one time, he had a daily talk show “Let’s Talk” on WIBW-AM. He was currently employed at General Dynamics.

He married Marita L. Leonard Prisock on January 15, 1983 in Wichita. She survives of the home.

Sam and Marita enjoyed living on Lake Wabaunsee for many years.

Other survivors include daughters, Sara (Christopher) Sanders, Garden City, twin daughters, Lori (Bill) Clifton, Las Vegas, NM and Lisa (Russell) Killion, Dodge City, stepdaughters, Lisa (Phillip) Leyva, Olathe and Vicki (Ed) Sweeten, Blythewood SC; stepson, Jess (Adrian) Prisock, Athens, GA; eleven grandchildren: Libby Sanders, Trevor (McKenna) Killion, Lela Killion, Nick Killion, Alissa Leyva, Dominique Leyva, Gabrielle Leyva, Edwin (Leah) Sweeten, Wesley (Katelyn) Sweeten, Wayne Sweeten, Christina Sweeten; three great grandchildren; brother, Mark (Nina) Elliott, Bolingbrook, IL; and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Wendell.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22nd at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Christian Church Benevolent Fund and may be sent in care of the mortuary.