Leo Marian Mays

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Leo Mays. Our family and friends are mourning his loss. He will be remembered as a caring and beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle who departed from us on April 16, 2025. Leo lived a life marked by kindness, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to family and friends. He was a responsible man and a good friend because that is how he lived his life every day.

Born on October 19, 1931, in Eads, Colorado, Leo had many good times with his brothers and friends and had great stories about farm life in the 1930’s and 1940’s. He joined the Air Force and served in two wars, Korea, and Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star. Leo retired from the Air Force after serving over 20 years, finishing his military career at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. He then started work at Boeing, where he excelled as a machinist earning the respect and admiration of all and never missed a day of work. Leo often worked two jobs in addition to Boeing, teaching auto shop at Wichita Vo Tech and throwing newspapers. No matter where he was at work, in the military or at home, whenever anyone had a problem they could not solve, they came to him. Leo was a genius at finding solutions for problems. He retired from Boeing after 20 years and bought an RV and started traveling. Leo and his wife Doris were members of the SMART (Special Military Active Recreational Travelers) Club and enjoyed a multitude of trips around the United States with the group. They also spent lots of time visiting their brothers and sisters and other friends and family around the country.

Beyond his professional achievements, Leo was deeply devoted to his family. Leo married Doris in 1955 and adopted her three children from her previous marriage. They went on to have three more children together. He was a loving spouse to Doris Mays, his wife of 61 years who predeceased him in 2016 and a loving father to his six children, always putting the needs of his loved ones above his own. Leo made sure to take time to attend as many of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sports events, concerts, and competitions as he could.

In his free time, Leo loved playing cards and games with family and loved vegetable gardening and working around his home. He grew many delicious vegetables and planted many nut and apple trees around his property. Leo and Doris hosted numerous family reunions and family gatherings at their home for both the Mays clan and Doris’s Patterson clan. In his later years, Leo lived at Reflection Ridge retirement community where he enjoyed playing bean bag baseball and bingo. He made many friends, and he enjoyed his time there.

Leo leaves behind a multitude of cherished memories and an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew him. His life was a demonstration of how to be a good man and he was a fantastic role model for his children always being someone they could look up to. Leo was a pleasure to be around and all of the staff members who helped care for him in the last year loved him.

He is survived by his children, daughter Bonnie (Roger) Eder, son Gary Mays, daughter Barbara Mays, sons Gerald (Diane McLendon) Mays, Greg Mays and Darryl (Mary) Mays; grandchildren Heather (Jim) Campbell and Eric (Holly Lapeyre) Eder, Jerry (Sarah) Mays, Ted Strouse, Matt Strouse, Sarah Munkres, Jennifer Mays and Michael (Carter) Mays; great grandchildren Gabriela, Isabella, Annabella, and Colton Campbell, Cameron Eder, Leo Paxton Mays, Edrick and Thora Strouse, Jaxson Munkres, Echo Mays and Goldie Mays who will continue to honor his memory and carry his spirit forward. Leo was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sister and his wife

Doris.

Knowing that Leo is reunited with the love of his life and soul mate Doris for eternity is a wonderful feeling.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held later at the Winfield Veterans Cemetery, where friends and family can gather to celebrate Leo's life and pay their respects.

Rest in peace, dear Leo. Your presence will be profoundly missed, but your love and legacy will endure forever.