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Leslie (Les) Wayne Leaming of Newkirk, OK passed away Saturday, August 1, 2020 at the young age of 83.
Les was born in Forgan, OK to Alfred Eugene (A.E.) & Evelyn (Helsel) Leaming. In his younger years he lived in Forgan, OK, Stratton, CO, Thayer, KS and Fredonia, KS where he was a 1956 graduate. On May 22, 1960 he married Sharon Jean Ryf in Fredonia, KS.
On July 8, 1996 he married Dorothy Jean (Salisbury) Bachaus in Newkirk, OK.
In the 60’s he worked on the Toronto, KS damn as a welder. After getting married and moving to Newkirk, he went to work for Bill Bliss. He considered Newkirk his hometown. In the late 60’s he started his own business, Leaming Const & Manufacturing where he built feed mills, grain elevators or erected buildings. When you had something built by Leaming Const & Manufacturing you needn’t worry as it was the best and no shortcuts were made as it was Les’s name that was at stake and he was proud of his work.
In his early years he played basketball and to him, he was the Star. He loved driving fast cars, camping with his family at Fall River, KS, and fishing with his brother, Joe, and brother in law. Les loved riding around on his moped with his best friend, Rudy, which was something he was famous for doing, reunions, having coffee with his Coop buddies, and watching his grandkids play sports. Basketball was his favorite sport and he had his same spot in the old gym and was excited about the new gym having more comfortable seats. He was an avid OU/OSU fan as his family was split so he rooted for both teams. He enjoyed driving around the surrounding Windmill & Wild Wood Wedding construction sites to see if they were doing it correctly. He helped with his parents' care, talked to his sister, Glenna Jean daily and discussed politics with her. However, when someone called him, he talked for a few minutes then handed the cell to Dorothy as he wasn’t a talker on the phone but was a talker in person as he never met a stranger. In 1989, he started the tradition of buying silver dollars for all of his kids' spouses for Christmas. This continued for years and stopped when the silver prices skyrocketed and was costing him a fortune. He was always up for a road trip and always there to help anyone. He was the kindest man and Bestest Papa to all his grandkids. He so loved his wife, Dorothy, kids, grandkids, and his entire family as he would go to all family reunions. What was so rare and special was the relationship Les, Dorothy and his ex-wife, Sharon, had. They were good friends and attended lots of family and school activities together. Les loved to travel with his love, Dorothy and Rudy.
Les is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Newkirk, children, Shelly (Ronnie) Sheik of Newkirk, OK, Mike (Carol) Leaming, Newkirk, OK, Julie (Daryl) Vap, Ponca City, OK, Nick Leaming, Ponca City, OK, Kerri Jo Hickman, Dennis (Glenda) Bachaus, Ponca City, OK, Robert (Penny) Bachaus, Phoenix, Arizona, 19 Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren , sisters, Glenna Jean Mahoney, Spring Hill, KS, Karen (Lynn) Umbarger, Wichita, KS, Carol (David) Newcomb, Pittsburg, KS, and Sallee (Larry) Hess, Waverly, KS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, A.E. and Evelyn Leaming, his favorite brother, Joe Leaming, brother-in-law, Raymond Mahoney, grandson, Justin Bachaus, neice, Janie Umbarger, nephew, Gary Leaming and his trusty sidekick, Rudy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Newkirk Tip Off Club Program in care of Equity Bank, 102 S Main St., Newkirk, OK.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City on Friday, August 7th from 8am to 8pm with the family present to greet friends from 5-7pm.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8th at 10am at Rick and Deb Leaming’s Pond, 225 N. Academy, Newkirk, OK.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.
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