Jeffrey Giles "Jeff" Fuller

Jeffrey "Jeff" Giles Fuller, a devoted husband, father, and mentor, passed away peacefully at home in Lenexa on January 21, 2026, with his wife Leslie at his side. Jeff spent his final weeks surrounded by the love of his family and closest friends.

Born in Sigourney, Iowa, Jeff spent his childhood there and in Des Moines before moving to Overland Park, Kansas at age 12. After graduating from Shawnee Mission South in 1981, he attended Johnson County Community College and later the University of Kansas. While finishing his degree in Electrical Engineering at KU, he met Leslie Holland. The two quickly fell in love and were married nine months later.

That same week, he began his first job at Allied Signal's Bendix plant (later Honeywell), and they began their life in the Kansas City area. A true practitioner of operational excellence, Jeff earned his Six Sigma Black Belt, a certification that defined his disciplined approach to every challenge. To Jeff, there was no problem that couldn't be solved with deep research and a meticulously crafted spreadsheet or PowerPoint slide-deck.

In 2010, Jeff's career took him to New Mexico as the Director of Program Operations at Kirtland Operations in Albuquerque. For two and a half years, he and Leslie "long-distance dated," visiting each other every 4–6 weeks. After successfully navigating the distance, they decided their next adventure must be a shared one. Following his retirement from Honeywell in 2017, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Jeff served as Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Mission Support and Test Services. Though he held great responsibilities, he often joked that he was actually the "Chief of Stuff." The pair welcomed many visitors to the 'Fuller Resort' over the years and enjoyed all that desert living offered. In 2024, they returned to Kansas, and Jeff retired from MSTS in January 2026.

Jeff was the quintessential "girl-dad." His greatest joys were his daughters, Danielle and Samantha, and he was profoundly grateful to become 'Gpa' to both McCoy and granddaughter Ellie, who was born just six weeks before his passing. He and Leslie extended their home and love to five foster daughters, a role he cherished deeply.

His wit was a constant presence. His latest habit was sending "dad jokes" to his daughters every morning. He maintained his sense of humor even in his final days. This sense of play extended to his famous collection of over 100 gnomes. His original buddy, Teej, has his own Facebook page, and Jeff delighted in taking him on vacations and documenting their adventures together.

With characteristic foresight, Jeff established the Jeffrey G. Fuller Trust to provide for long-term family stability and philanthropic contributions. Jeff directed that the trust's first gift be dedicated to Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center. Having attended as a child and seeing his daughters and their best friends form unbreakable bonds there, he wanted to ensure future youth could experience that same growth and life-changing community.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Dixie Jean and Kirby Dean Fuller; his brother, James Fuller; and his sister, Lori Wolf. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Fuller; daughter Danielle Fuller and partner Clayton Hood and his son McCoy Hood; daughter Samantha Nash and her husband Matthew Nash; granddaughter, Ellie Nash; brother John Arthur Fuller and his wife Shari Fuller; and nephews William Wolf, Benjamin Wolf, and Joshua Fuller. A special honor is extended to the "Usual Suspects" and the "Labor Day Crew," who were chosen family.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, Lenexa, Kansas.

In Lieu of Flowers, in honor of Jeff's commitment to youth and community, the family requests donations be made to Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center. https://givebutter.com/talloaksdonate

Please note "In Memory of Jeff Fuller" with your contribution.