Leland David Wilkerson

Leland David Wilkerson, 81, of Lenexa, KS passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024.  He was born August 28, 1942 in Council Grove, KS to Leland E. and Minnie (McMichael) Wilkerson.  He grew up in Council Grove and graduated from Council Grove High School in 1960. Leland attended Kansas State University where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and received a Bachelors in Accounting. He started law school at Washburn University in Topeka but quickly decided to get his CPA instead. Leland married Marilyn Ames in Moline, KS on July 29, 1967 and together they moved to Kansas City.

Leland was a 1^st Lieutenant in the United States Army 169^th Combat Engineers. He served in Vietnam from 1969-1970. Leland then went to work at CCI where he met his future business partners. In 1978, they started Comanche Construction where he did the accounting until his retirement in 2021. Along with his many investments, he was a partner in Mill Valley Construction, he was part owner of Pickerings bar and owned farmland in Council Grove.

Leland was a sportsman his whole life, lettering in football, basketball and track all four years of high school. He was a season ticket holder for the Kansas City Royals and Kansas State Wildcat football and loved to attend the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City. He was an avid golfer, one of the many sports he taught his daughters, and belonged to the Leawood South Country Club for many years. He coached his daughter Michelle’s softball team to a championship. Leland was a Kansas City Chiefs fan and watched all sports, including March Madness. He loved quail hunting, and always had a good hunting dog (who he would spoil tremendously).

Leland took care of Marilyn in her final years. He was close to his brother Jim who visited frequently. He always enjoyed when his daughters and their families would visit, putting the grandkids to work around the yard and just watching them and laughing. They will always remember having to listen to Sports Radio, going on walks and watching the Hallmark Channel and Monk.   

Leland was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Marilyn (Ames) Wilkerson on August 26, 2023. He is survived by his two daughters Michelle and her husband Nenous David, Nicole and her husband Rick Rocklin, brother Jim Wilkerson, and four grandchildren Dahlia and Ashur David, and Phoebe and Miles Rocklin.

Those who knew Leland would know he was not a man of many words or smiles, but he was fiercely loyal to his family and longtime friends. He had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed. 

Graveside service for Leland and Marilyn will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Council Grove, KS on Tuesday, May 28th at 3:00 PM.  A reception will follow at the Hays House.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Leland’s memory to: Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E 19th St., Lawrence, KS 66046-9907