Melvin D Leckron

Melvin Dale Leckron passed away November 22, 2024, at Village Manor in Abilene at the age of 100 years old. He was born December 30, 1923, to Mary and E.F. Leckron in Abilene, where he lived for a century.
Melvin (better known as"Leck") graduated from Abilene High School and attended Kansas State University. He married Dolores Purdy on January 6, 1946. They were married for 69 years before her passing in 2015.
Melvin was a farmer and dairy producer. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he was active on many church committees, taught Sunday School and enjoyed his long-time Sunday School group of friends. He and Dolores were 4-H club leaders and together, read to the 3rd graders at McKinley Grade School for many years. They loved following their grandkids' activities and attending Kansas State University Wildcats sporting events..
Melvin started playing his tenor saxophone in the Abilene City Band, alongside his dad and brother, when he was 14 years old and continued playing into his 90's. One of his proudest band memories was when President Eisenhower invited the Abilene band to Washington, D.C., to march in both of his inaugural parades. The entire band (known as the Abilene Cowboy Band then), with their instruments, cowboy hats, chaps and boots, traveled by train in 1953 and by plane in 1957 to D.C. to march in the three-mile parades. Melvin's mother attended school in Abilene with Ike, so it was a proud moment.
Very active in the community and region, Melvin was a Dickinson County Commissioner, a member of the Isis Shrine Band, the Central Kansas Free Fair Board, and the Central Kansas Mental Health and Area Agency on Aging boards.
Survivors include his son Randy and his wife Barb of Abilene, daughters Terry Bell of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Debbie and her husband Bill Miller of Council Grove, Kansas; six grandchildren Matthew and his wife Marina Bell, Katherine and her husband John Carroll, Anna and her husband Drew Adams, Christina Miller, Mary and her husband Wes Duey, Sarah and her husband Prem Panchal; three great grandchildren Colin Bell, Addison and Sophia Duey.
A private family graveside will be in the Abilene City Cemetery. Memorial Services will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 25, 2024 at Abilene First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Abilene High School Band and Abilene First United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd St., Abilene, KS 67410.