Carroll J. Leister

Carroll Jacob Leister, 87, of Hampstead, MD passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, MD. Born December 16, 1936 in his family farm house off of Houcksville Road, he was the son of the late Sterling Jacob Leister and Addie Virginia (nee Cullison) Leister. He was the husband of Martha Jean (nee Wilhelm) Leister. On December 21st, they celebrated 66 years of marriage. Jake, along with his brother, was a third generation farmer and operated the Leister-Dale dairy farm. In his younger years, he also worked for Hampstead Canning Factory, played soccer, was an active member of the 4-H, achieving state championship for one of his farm raised steers, and frequented the town recreation center where the teenagers would hang out. He won his future wife's heart at 16 by throwing bottle caps at her at the Hampstead Carnival, sending balloons and writing her love letters. He was a truck driver for Harry T. Campbell's Quarry and hauled asphalt for E. Stewart Mitchell Paving Company. He was instrumental in the first paving of roads on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He was a tall, handsome man, and well known around town, cruising main street in his two-toned baby blue '57 Chevy, and in his later years, his rusted out, 85' GM dually beast of a truck by the name of "Ole Red." He was a member of the North Carroll Rod and Gun Club, where he shot trap every Wednesday night, was a past member of the Carroll County Farm Bureau, and an active member of the unofficial morning coffee club at the local 7-Eleven and McDonalds. He was a dedicated member of Christ Lutheran Church, Trenton, where he often took naps during sermons. "Pappy" enjoyed target shooting, sipping rye whiskey, repairing guns, listening to outlaw country and gospel hymns, watching old westerns, storytelling, NASCAR racing and tractor pulls. He loved making homemade ice cream, devouring homemade desserts and delicious food, laughing with his family, picking on all the children, and making friends everywhere he went. There were no strangers to Jake, just friends he hadn't met yet. "Pap" had a deep connection with nature and animals. He had rich wisdom of how to connect to any animal he came across, wild and domestic, could tell the weather forecast and seasonal shifts better than any weather man, and loved riding around looking at other farmers' crops and livestock. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his sons, Jeffrey Lee Leister, Gregory Clinton Leister and his wife, Jenny, both of Hampstead; daughter, Carol Lynn Phillips of Upperco; grandchildren, Amy Lynne Leister, William Jacob Phillips, Stacey Lee Leister, and Brittany Marie Phillips Kurek and her husband, Josh Kurek; great-grandchildren, Clara Evlynne Collins, Addie Jo Collins, Emma Mae Phillips, Hazel Grace Collins, and Maddox Zumbrun Martin; and sister, Victoria Leister Garrettson of Hampstead, MD. He was predeceased by his brother, Stuart Olan Leister. The family will receive friends Friday, January 5, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12:00 p.m. at ELINE FUNERAL HOME, 934 South Main Street, Hampstead. The Rev. Matthew Schenning will officiate. Private inurnment in Hampstead Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to Christ Lutheran Church, 16530 Trenton Church Road, Upperco, MD 21155.