Rev. Garry Jackson Ledbetter

Garry went to be with the Lord at the age of 76 years. He had been very ill for four years. He left a legacy of love and compassion.

Garry was born in Huntsville, Arkansas. He was born in the home and was the son of Willis Jackson Ledbetter and Mamie Nadine (Stone) Ledbetter. He moved to Kansas at the age of eight years. His parents and siblings were excited, but he said “he was hanging his Religion on the Kansas Line.” He loved Arkansas, praying in the hollers and living in the country.

Garry was very talented. He ran the quarter-mile against Jim Ryan and beat him. He held the record for the 220 and 440 at West High for 12 years, then Henry Evers beat his record. He was a great athlete – loved all sports. He enjoyed hunting with his beagles and his whippet Stoney.

Garry’s great love was the Lord and the Soul of Man. He was such a kind, loving, compassionate and humble servant. He had a style that looked to the Holy Spirit for leadership.

He pastored the Westside Freewill Baptist Church for 43 years (until his health failed). He saw the church built and paid for during his leadership. His integrity, honesty, humility and servitude could not be matched He preached hundreds of funerals and weddings. Every cemetery at one time or another has asked him to perform devotionals on Memorial Day. He always declined. Once he was asked to be Wind Wagon Smith at the Riverfest. He declined. He was offered two different homes by families of his congregation. He always said he was not in the business of accolades or prosperity, but in the business of delivering the message of salvation to mankind.

Garry always wanted to help ministries and ministers. He had the church pay salaries for churches: Wellington Freewill, Crosspoint, Camp Meeting, The Well, singers, men who preached revivals and of course the needy and homeless.

He never profited in any way – just took a simple salary and worked hard. He loved his congregation and the church.

Garry met his wife, Wanda (McGowan) in 1963 They married in 1965 and have enjoyed 56 years together. They have one son Bret (Bub), daughter Monica (Sweet Princess), two granddaughters (who he adored) Kearstin (Ledbetter) Langhofer (Dr. Trent), Mya Ledbetter (Baby girl), three great-grandchildren Adrian Jackson, Judah Stone, and Kyra Faith. He cherished these three, thought they were special and could do no wrong.

Garry and Wanda lived the great love story, shared everything – a love so great it can’t be explained. Garry was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, three brothers-in-law. He is survived by two sisters Chris Leichner, Judy (Jerry) Rogers, two brothers Glen (Madge) Ledbetter, and Danny Ray (Rhonda) Ledbetter; a host of family, friends, business associates, and a Godly Community all over the nation.

Visitation 2-4pm Sunday, August 7 at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary. Funeral Service 11am Monday, August 8 at Westside Freewill Baptist Church, followed by interment in Greenwood Cemetery. A memorial is established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.