Leigh Bristor

Leigh Edward Bristor of Belle Plaine, KS passed away on Tuesday, July 18th at home. Leigh was born August 10, 1942 in Fairbury, Nebraska, the 4th of 8 children, to Elnora Leigh and Harvey Bristor.

Leigh met Carol Lucetta Davis on memorial weekend in 1966, after Leigh decided to tag along with his Beechcraft friend Don Davis (Carol’s brother) to his house in Oxford, Kansas, to ride his horses. Leigh and Carol married shortly after on November 5, 1966. Leigh and Carol welcomed sons, Keith in 1968 and Jon in 1973. Leigh was also blessed with 6 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters.

Leigh served in the United States Navy from 1962-1965, aboard The USS Renville during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Leigh truly enjoyed his time in the Navy, as he spoke often of the different places he visited and the late nights on the ocean where you could see all the stars. Following his time in the Navy, Leigh had a 28 year career with Beechcraft. Leigh also spent many years volunteering in emergency services, spending 12 years with the City of Belle Plaine Fire Department (many of those as the Chief), and several years as a reserve sheriff deputy and a trained storm spotter for Sumner County Emergency Management. Leigh also played an integral part in the addressing for the 911 system in Sumner County, which also gave him the opportunity to name some of the smaller roads. Leigh volunteered with the City Of Belle Plaine, mapping the water and sewer lines, along with reviewing other maps. After he and Carol were married, he started a lawnmower repair shop on the side for extra money to support his family and ran that for several years and after his retirement, started the business again and ran it for several years again.

Leigh took great joy in being the first to establish the Belle Plaine Recreation Organization (BPRO) and also the opportunity to coach both of his boys’ teams for several years. Leigh was very passionate about baseball and coaching.

A Nebraska native, Leigh was an avid Cornhusker fan and thoroughly enjoyed their football program! A passion that he passed to his children and grandchildren.

Leigh was a life member at the Belle Plaine Church of Christ.

Leigh is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol; sons Keith (Marcie) Bristor and Jon (Heather) Bristor; grandchildren, Eric Bristor, Dylan (Destiny) Bristor, Cooper (Syvanah) Bristor, Dawson Bristor, Isabella Bristor and Paxton Bristor; great granddaughters, Espyn Bristor and Dahlia Bristor; and siblings, Phyllis, Howard, Leta (Bob) Fisbeck, Harvey and Vickie (Jim) Kuehl.

Leigh was preceded in death by his parents as well as sisters, Sherry and Ramona.

Viewing will take place from 5-7 pm on Friday, July 21st, at Hatfield-Smith Funeral Home in Belle Plaine. Family will not be present. Graveside service only will be on Saturday, July 22nd, at 7 pm, at the Belle Plaine Cemetery.

The grandchildren will serve as Casket Bearers.

Memorial contributions to Belle Plaine Church of Christ, PO Box 927, Belle Plaine, KS 67013.