Les (Leslie E.) Harrod
Share
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.
My deepest sympathy to all the family.
I have great memories of our excursions to favorite fishing and camping spots and our annual trip to western Kansas to pheasant hunt. Les and I even made a unforgettable trip to South Dakota one year. Great friend, many many memories. Loved him like a brother.
I have never met a family that is more open and loving than the Harrods. Les touched so many lives and the void that he has left will never be filled. I consider it an honor and a pleasure to have been welcomed into such a wonderful family.
I found this quote years ago when I was dealing with tragedy and loss and it always seems so fitting.
“It never fully heals, but that okay, because that means we were able to love someone, or something, as deeply as love can be felt.
As the author of Winnie the Pooh put it, ‘How lucky am I too have known someone who makes saying goodbye so hard.'”
So sorry for your loss, uncle Les was an amazing man. Thinking of you all in this difficult time.
Enjoyed annual hunting and camping trips with Les. Always had a smile on his face with Willie Nelson playing in the background. Will miss him, prayers to his family during this difficult time.
After reading Les’s obit it was obvious he carried on the Harrod tradition of being a superior family. I thought of the Harrod’s neighbor in Yates Center, Carol Lauber. She loved those boys.
Thought and prayers!! Vicki DeLay Long
Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family, I worked with Les for 10 years at Davol.
I want to extend my deepest condolences for your loss. I worked for Les at Davol where he gave me my first leadership position. I learned from him and can say he made an impact on my life. Les was a good man and mentor. Rest in peace Les.
I worked for Les at Davol for over 10 years. He was a good man and a pleasure to work for. Prayers for the family; his presence will be missed.
Sending much love to Cheryl, Emily, Megan and all of the Harrod family. May your wonderful memories of the many special times spent with Les bring you peace and joy in the years ahead. May the strength of your family hold you up at this very hard time.
Les made a big impact on me when I worked at DAVOL. I was in a life transition ( newly divorced) and not in the best of spirits. I got to be on an Employee Recognition committee and in that aspect I got to know him in a more in depth way than just a manager. He gave me lots of encouragement and confidence. He was one of the few people in management that I knew I could go to with an issue, confide in, spill my guts if necessary, and know he genuinely cared and was not just answering the way he thought he should because the company would want him to give me a canned answer or their perspective. He was such a kind man. I am sorry for the loss.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping your family in my prayers.
Loyally,
Angie Lytle
Growing up as a close friend of Megan’s what I will always remember about Les is his gentle, kind, fierceness. He exuded this quiet intensity that let me know he was a stern, loving and forgiving father and I admired that. – the perfect yin to Cheryl’s yang. Sending all my love and healing energy.
Dearest Cheryl, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. Sending love and hugs your way.
My deepest sympathy to you and family. I know what a difficult time it is for you. My thoughts any prayers are with you
..
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Paul & Sheri Flory
Cheryl, my heart aches for you and your daughters. I know how hard it is to loss a beloved companion! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you are able to find peace and comfort in happy, loving memories.
Remember, Les is not gone, he has just run on ahead and is waiting for you. Sending all my love and lots of hugs!
Cheryl, my heart aches for you and your daughters. I know how hard it is to loose a
beloved companion! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you are able to find peace and comfort in happy, loving memories.
Remember, Les is not gone, he has just run on ahead and is waiting for you. Sending all my love and lots of hugs!
Cheryl,
I am thinking of you and sending hugs and prayers of strength! I know you have many treasured memories and may these bring smiles & laughter. I know difficult times will be ahead and hope you know others are here to listen and support.
Barb Young Innes
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family Les, no one could have inspired me as you a great boss and leader to so many. You will be truely missed.
Dear Harrod family, we are sorry you have lost Les. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My condolences to the family. I have many fond memories of Les and Cheryl at Rock Springs Ranch. Les will always be a part of the RSR family. My prayers are with you Cheryl and your family.
I am so sorry for your lost. Your family will be in my thoughts. I too have many fond memories of Les and Cheryl at Rock Springs. Les and I first became friends at Emporia State. He was a good friend, a great boss, and a kind and generous man. He was the reason I went to work at Rocks Springs. Some of my fondest memories.
Cheryl, Emily, Megan and family..you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Les was such a great man, boss and friend to so many. I will always remember his quiet, gentle firmness in my time working with him. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor or boss. Hold your memories close to your hearts. I know I’ll never forget our times together. May you find peace in your memories. Much love to you all.
Cheryl-Thinking of you and your girls and extending my heartfelt sympathy.
Dear Cheryl, JoAnn and Family,
We are thinking of you at this difficult time. I will be praying for comfort and peace for all of you. Les will be missed by his bluebird friends as well as many others.
Megan,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Praying you feel the love and prayers from around you as you go through this difficult time.
Tammy
Cheryl:
Vic always shared memorable stories of his cherished time in life with his Uncle Pete”s kids. Athletics, of course, were very important in the lives of the Harrod clan in Yates Center,Ks.
We send our deepest sympathy to your family for your loss and send our thoughts to all the members of the Pete and Laurene Harrod Family
Norma Harrod
Cheryl and family,
So sorry for your lose. John and I will pray for you and your family.
John and De Vonna Oehlert
Much love to Cheryl and family. Rest in peace cousin.
My thoughts & prayers for Harrod family. RIP Les
My thoughts and prayers to the Harrod family, Les was one of my managers at Davol and was really great to work for and talk too about anything. Rest in peace and truly was a great man.
Cheryl, I think of you frequently and remember when you comforted me when a good friend and mentor suddenly passed many years ago. Remember the good stuff, the funny and silly stuff.
I have meant to add my sincere sympathies to Cheryl and her immediate
Family. Les and were first cousins on the Johnston side and my absolute best time as a kid were going to SE Kansas to see a large number of families from Eureka, Yates Center and Wichita. Staying withe Pete and Laurene and the boys, especially Les. I was a little bit older but Les lived a town that had real character. I was from rural Wyoming so those were the best of times especially because of the wonderful people there. None was better than Les Harrod!
Cheryl I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I want you to know that I am thinking of you at this time.