James Leland “Lee” Kenslow, 84, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on October 24, 2017 at Country Club Care Center in Warrensburg, MO surrounded by his loved ones. He accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized on October 18, 2017.
Lee was born in Edwardsville, Kansas on September 6, 1933 to James Newton and Susie (Johnson) Kenslow. He was raised in Turner Kansas on Berry Street. Lee loved to hunt and fish on their large property. He went to work on a dairy farm when he was 13 years old and gave his earnings to his mother to help with the household expenses of a large family, 4 boys and 1 girl. Lee graduated from Turner high school in 1951. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard and Army Reserve for 8 years. Lee worked as a carpenter as a young man and eventually built two homes for himself. He finished his education at Texas University Arlington with a BA in electrical engineering and worked in that field for Core Labs in Dallas, Texas.
Lee returned home to Kansas in 1994 to care for his aging parents. He also drove a school bus for Shawnee Mission school district. Lee spoke to the children each first day of school “no coughing, no sneezing and if the windows fog up, no breathing.” I can only imagine the looks on the children’s faces when he said that. He had a wonderful sense of humor.
Lee married Elsie Genevieve (Genny) Fruits on March 15, 2007 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On their first date he asked her “do you believe in love at first sight?” In the over ten years together, they traveled much of the United States and a train trip through the Canadian Rockies, a trip to London and Paris in 2010 was a highlight. They also had a cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks where they went boating and he taught Genny how to fish.
Lee has left to mourn his loss, Genny of their home; step daughters, Kristy Blick (Gerry) of Maple Grove, MN, Tammy Dreiling (Brian) of Hays, KS; sons, Mike and Danny Kenslow; daughters, Marcie Hixson and Jeanne Rumans; 6 step-grandchildren; 8 step-great grandchildren; nieces, Patricia Ann Kenslow and Diana Conner (Mike) of Belton, MO; sister-in-law, Joan Kenslow of Belton, MO; brother-in-Law, David Mumma (Karen) of Corinth, TX. Last but not least his toy poodle, Taffylou. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alvin, Calvin and Edwin Kenslow; sister, Nelma Elaine Kenslow (Ledgerwood).
Lee was an intelligent, loving, witty, spiritual and talented man, who is greatly loved. Arrangements have been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs. A private graveside service and inurnment will be held at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer Association or the American Heart Association. Memories of Lee and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
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Genny, my heart aches for you. You have my love and sympathy. God grant you peace. Love, Carolyn Barry
Patty Kenslow says
I’ll miss his smile and his sense of humor. He made me laugh without even trying! I’ll miss watching the ten year love affair that he and Ginny shared…..and will share again in heaven one day! When I smell saw dust or Old Spice, both he and my dad will immediately be in my thoughts and I will smile in remembering them both. And I’ll most certainly remember him when I see a banana cream pie and how big his eyes would get when he got a piece! I’ll miss him now for a little while, but I’ll love him until the day that I get to join him and see that twinkle in his eye again with no more pain, no more confusion, and he’ll be with Ginny again forever!
Sincerest sympathy and loving thoughts to Gen and all the family. God bless and keep you close during this difficult time.
Sincerest sympathy and loving thought to Gen and all the family. God bless and keep you close during this difficult time.