Rev. W. Sammons Leonard

Rev. Leonard William Sammons passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015 at his home in the Garden Terrace Apartments in Hays, Kansas at the age of 93. He was born on July 17, 1921 in the Alcona Township of Rooks County, Kansas to the late William H. and Sarah Emma (Combs) Sammons. He was united in marriage to Nancy E. McGinnis on September 1, 1940 in Hays. They were blessed with four children, Darrell Duane, Tracy Lee, Leonard Steven, and Carol Ann. Leonard graduated high school from the Webster School District #23 with the Class of 1938 and went on to attend Fort Hays State College. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree he taught school in rural Rooks County. In addition to teaching, Leonard did some farming and worked in the retail business in Stockton, Sharon Springs, and Goodland, Kansas, as well as Colorado Springs, Colorado. Baptized on May 22, 1938 by the Rev. F.M. Bishop in the Webster Methodist Church, Leonard was an active member in the church and helped to both raise money and build the Stratmoor Hills Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. Following his career in retail, Leonard returned to school and attended seminary at Stockton, California, graduating from the School of Theology in 1965 in order to become a minister with the Methodist Church. He served as pastor to congregations in Ordway and Pueblo, Colorado; Tooele, Utah; and Eads and Limon, Colorado. Eventually Leonard and Nancy retired back to Rooks County in Stockton. During his retirement he enjoyed woodworking, especially buying old Post Office box doors and making coin banks out them which he sold thousands of at craft shows all over the United States. In their later years they moved to Garden Terrace Independent Living where Nancy passed away in 2012. Left to mourn Leonard’s passing are his sons Darrell Sammons and wife Charlotte of Stockton, Tracy Sammons and wife Linda of Pueblo, CO, and Leonard Steven Sammons and wife Sherry of Salina; son-in-law Ellis Kendrick of Liberty, MO; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Sarah Sammons, wife Nancy Sammons, daughter Carol Ann Kendrick, sister Mabel (Stewart) Anderson, and brothers Harold Vernon, Denzil Royce, and Forest Delane Sammons. Leonard was a man who lived by faith. His devotion to God, his family, and all of the people he served has left a legacy that will live on for generations to come. He will be greatly missed, but we rejoice as he joins his Lord in eternal rest and glory hearing these words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Visitation #2: 723 N. First Stockton, KS 67740 Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home-Stockton