A memorial visitation for Leo Keller Smith, 92, Lawrence, will be from 6-7 pm Wednesday, Apr. 20th at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Private interment has taken place at Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Smith died Monday, Apr. 18, 2016, at his home.
He was born Jan. 4, 1924, in Lawrence, the son of Dan and Anna May Keller Smith. He graduated from McLouth High School. He served in the United States Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 60th Air Depot Group, during World War II. He later returned to Lawrence, and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in education, where he was involved in KU ROTC, and helped construct the Campanile, and was one of the first graduates to walk through it. Leo was a purchasing agent at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, and later for Callery Chemical Company. He was a longtime area farmer and cattle rancher. He was a member of the Perry American Legion, and enjoyed pheasant hunting and KU sports.
Leo married Margo L. Pierce on Aug. 29, 1948, at Danforth Chapel on the KU campus, one of the first couples to be married there. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Bobbi Reichart and husband Neill, Alma, Kan., and David A. Smith and wife Ramona Willits, Lawrence; four grandchildren, Amy Guinn McKinsey, Jason Guinn (Laura), Ross Smith (Kim), and Jamie Parrish (Daniel); and ten great grandchildren, Anna and Keller Smith, and Alexis, Baylee, Braden, Makayla, Nataleigh, Kadence, Issie, and Harmony.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Perry American Legion, or the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com
