April 27, 1946 – January 19, 2023
LeAnn Carl, 76, of Lenexa, Kansas, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 19, 2023. LeAnn was born on April 27, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska, the second daughter of Harold Noel Childress and Dorothy Jean Dye Childress. When she was six years old, the family moved from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Gorin, Missouri where he attended elementary school and high school. She was active in Methodist Youth Fellowship, band, choir, track, basketball and 4-H.
In 1961, his father built and opened Memphis Lanes in Memphis, Missouri. The following year, the family moved to Memphis, where he attended Memphis High School for his junior and senior years, graduating in the class of 1964. He played snares and timpani in marching and concert bands and was awarded the John Phillip Sousa. She was active in several sports, excelling as a point guard on the Memphis Tigers women’s basketball team averaging 22 points per game. In every game, she stubbornly “driving the basket” and won a $5.00 bet with her father that she couldn’t get five fouls by charging and fouling.
In 1965, LeAnn graduated from Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois. She married Byron William “Bill” Carl on October 9, 1965 (d. 1965-1985) and they moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she had two children: her daughter, Kimberly, and son, Kevin.
She was a proud, stay-at-home mom who raised her kids and shuttled between baseball games and track and field meets at Logan-Rogersville High School in Rogersville, Missouri, never missing an event.
She held positions with Kelly Temporary Services, before becoming medical staff secretary at St. John’s Regional Health Center, Springfield, Missouri from 1985 to 1990.
In 1990, she moved to Kansas City to be closer to her daughter and sister, Mickey. From 1990 to 1997 she worked at Bethany Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, as a medical personnel coordinator in the Medical Personnel Office, where she became well known and loved by physicians and staff. She held the Certified Medical Staff Coordinator designation from 1991 to 2006.
In 1997, she was hired by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Leawood, Kansas, to fill the newly created role of Manager, Annual Clinical Focus in the Education Division. She loved the Academy and the opportunity to travel and build lifelong friendships.
After leaving AAFP in 2008, she was hired by Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas in the position of Medical Staff Coordinator, where she worked from 2009 to 2013. She was an invaluable asset to the team, with extensive experience in preparation for the hospital’s in-depth review by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Since retiring, she has held various roles in the Millcreek Run Homes Association, helping fellow residents and preserving the townhome complex for future generations.
LeAnn was full of life, making many friends over the years. She was known as the person who kept in touch with everyone – family and friends – always with a cheery hello.
Family and sports were his passion – whether it was cheering on a grandson’s track and field meet, swimming, baseball games, concerts, or sitting on the couch watching the Chiefs or KU Jayhawks – she was an avid fan.
She took on the role of family historian – pouring box upon box of treasured family photos and heirlooms – culminating in over 30 binders on both sides of the Dye/Slocum and Childress/Fryrear family.
Music surrounded his life. Favorite memories of him include dancing the Jitterbug and Rock & Roll with Uncle Larry and his father and teaching the Gorin Boys to dance. He loved songs with a Boogie Woogie beat and, more importantly, singing four-part harmonies with his sisters.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorothy Childress of Memphis, Missouri; great-granddaughter Alexis Lee; Aunt Josephine Dye Delaney (Virgil); Uncle Wayne Dye (Pat); Aunt Betty Lou Childress Frogge (Vernon); and Uncle Jerry Childress (Minnie).
She is survived by her children, Kim Carl Letcher (Mike Letcher) of Platte City, MO and her son, Kevin Carl (Lori Carl) of Lihue (Kauai) HI, along with her loving grandchildren Jackson and Benjamin Letcher, Riley and Taylor Carl, and his grandfather Ava; her sisters Linda Childress Kapfer (Gary) of Scottsdale, AZ; Candice “Candy” Childress Humes (Mark) of Wyaconda, MO; and Michella “Mickey” Childress Schaefer (Mark) of Scottsdale, AZ; her uncle Larry Childress (Sharon) of Brashear, MO; and her nieces and nephews, Kolette Kapfer Abel (Pat) of Phoenix, AZ; Heidi Kapfer Harazin (Michael) of Peoria, AZ; Chris Hull (Debbie) of Ellsinore, Missouri; Ken Hull (Michella) from Memphis, Missouri; Casey Hull (Holly) of Leawood, KS; and Jessica Humes Lee (Kenny) of Weatherby, MO; great-grandchildren and grandchildren along with a myriad of family and friends.
His request was not to mourn his passing, but to celebrate, therefore, two celebrations will be held in his honor, both in Kansas City (February 18) and in Memphis, MO (spring date TBA).
The first Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday 18 February, location TBA, 2-5pm, with family commentary starting at 2.30pm. keepsake or photo. For all the details and updates go to:
The family doesn’t ask for flowers. Memorials may be designated to one of the following: Slocum Cemetery (Greensburg, MO)
PC Running Club (Platte City, MO)
Kauai High School Athletics (Lihue, Kauai, HI)
Please make checks payable to the organization of your choice and mail to: Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215
