Perry C Leslie

Perry Cole Leslie, 80, left this Earth September 20th 2023 - at 6:30PM - at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO. He was surrounded by loved ones, listening to his diverse playlist of favorite tunes, and wrapped in his favorite blanket covered in pictures of his granddaughters.
Perry was born on December 31st 1942 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Dr. Paul Leslie and Genevieve (Cole) Leslie. He was the middle of 3 boys. Younger brother to Paul Jr (1940), and older to Bobby (1944). Around 1947, the family would relocate to Jefferson City, MO. Perry attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School, followed by Helias Highschool, where he graduated in 1960. It was at IC that Perry would first encounter his soulmate, Janet.
From a young age, Perry demonstrated a tendency toward the mischievous, yet was often freed from harsh punishment after flashing his "angelic" baby blues and sweet smile. This ability followed him throughout his life, resulting in it being hard to find a single person who wouldn't admit Perry was "just the nicest guy"! Beginning at 6 years old, Perry showed a gift for – and love of – golf; and, although he would be the only one in the family to play on the PGA tour, he was only one member of a multi-generational golf "dynasty". At Helias, Perry led the golf team to victory at the State High School Golf Championship in 1960, just as his father had done in 1934. Even with this major accomplishment to his name, his most proud high-school moment – at least the story he most loved to tell anyway – was sinking the winning basket in the last few seconds of the game against Jefferson City High School, becoming the Regional Basketball Champions. A moment that can still cause tension if mentioned amongst the right group of people!
Following High School, Perry attended LSU on a golf scholarship and played on their team his freshman year. Unfortunately, his extra-curricular activities proved to be quite the distraction from academics, and he returned to Missouri – to attend Mizzou – for his sophomore year. Suffering the same "distraction" at Mizzou, he completed his college education at Lincoln University in Jefferson City where, as an All-American, he led their golf team to their first national title! He graduated from Lincoln in 1965, with a degree in Business Accounting, and moved to Springfield, MO to begin his job as a comptroller for the Missouri State Highway Department.
He married his first wife, Linda, in 1968 and soon thereafter began his official career in golf at Hickory Hills Country Club under the mentorship of Sam Reynolds. In 1974 Perry earned his PGA Tour Card and played on the tour until 1978, after which, he returned to HHCC full-time as Co-Head Professional in 1979. While on the PGA Tour Perry made 35 cuts and finished in the top 25 four times.
In July of 1981 Perry earned the new title, "Father of Blair", and his grey hairs began to appear almost instantly. Anyone who has known Perry since this time can confirm he had no way to prepare for this role. Not even the great Drs. Spock, Freud, and Einstein combined could provide guidance on what the next 42 years would have in store! This is one role that would test his patience, emotions, sanity, and sobriety, but even more so, his finances! Despite all odds, he excelled; and, through perseverance and unwavering devotion, he was awarded the highest honor of "Best Daddy in the Whole World".
In 1988, Perry left Hickory Hills to open Highland Springs Country Club, in Springfield, as the Director of Golf. During his tenure, he was instrumental in bringing the Ben Hogan Tour (The Price Cutter Charity Championship) to the club, as well as coordinating multiple other successful local tournaments and Pro-Amateur events. In 1997, Perry, Dan Schumacher, and Frank Conner founded the "Frank Conner Children's Charity Pro-Am". This event continued up until COVID and, since its inception, has raised over $2Million for local children's charities in southwest Missouri. While acting in both club pro roles, his love for the game was best displayed in his jr. golf and teaching programs. He wanted to share golf with anyone willing to learn, and to start that education from an early age. Over the years, hundreds of kids – and adults – had the privilege of learning from Perry and sharing in his excitement for the game. It is almost certain every person who has participated in a program or lesson has a "Perry story".
After Highland Springs Perry decided to give competitive golf a go again and he travelled to some Senior PGA Tour event qualifyings, but discovered The Club was where his heart was most happy; thus, he returned to MO to serve as the inaugural Director of Golf Operations at Branson Creek Golf Club. His golf career in Missouri came to a close in 2001 when he decided to "formally" retire.
Then one day, in November of 2003, Perry's life was forever changed when he saw an ad for classmates.com. Upon seeing this ad, his thoughts immediately went to "the one that got away", his 7th grade sweetheart, Janet. Though they had grown up together in Jefferson City and gone on one date in college, it was not yet their time, and they had not seen or spoken to one another since 1966! So, Perry put on the charm, and nervously planned out what he would say in his message; with bated breath he typed, (and this may be paraphrasing) "how you doin?" and hit "send". This message may not have been quite as smooth as he would have liked, but it worked! As fate would have it, Perry had been on Janet's mind too; it would later be learned she had a note on her desk with his contact info, that had been there for over a year while Janet ruminated on the possible outcomes of using said contact info! Alas she replied to Perry's message and what followed was a love story most people only experience in the movies; it was now their time, the Chosen Ones. They had held each other in their hearts for 37 years and knew instantly they were each other's missing piece. 222 days after their initial reconnection, Perry sold his house and moved to Burbank, CA where they were married June 24, 2004. They had celebrated 19 years and 3 months of marriage at the time of Perry's passing; however, their love is the kind not bound by physical laws and will endure beyond the ether.
With his new lease on life, and one true love by his side, Perry found his joy for golf again. At the request of his old buddy Jerry Crumpler – who just so happened to own a golf course in need of rescue – Perry agreed to come out of retirement and serve as the Director of Golf once again at Tierre Rejada Golf Club, in Simi Valley, CA until 2012. (This decision of course was not come to without some witty banter concerning the previously mentioned basketball game back in 1960 where Jerry was a member of the Jefferson City Team!)
Finally, in 2014, Janet and Perry decided their blood pressure could not take any more L.A. traffic or warnings of the impending "big one", so they headed East and returned to Missouri, this time settling in Columbia. Once there, Perry embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure by creating "Chucker Golf"; a new take on golf that made the game accessible for those with disabilities, and/or those with no previous golf experience. Chucker Golf utilized a single "club" – making it inexpensive and compact – and it eliminated the short game, which in-turn eliminated most of the frustration and profanity. These elements combined made for an adaptable, inclusive, family-friendly game that could be played almost anywhere with open space. Perry held events collaborating with The Boys and Girls Club, and The Wounded Warrior Project in Columbia; and, as many of you have personally experienced, he never EVER passed up an opportunity to share his vision – with enthusiasm – or to provide a free demonstration! Although he never stopped believing in the possibilities of this game, he found that preparing for a Shark Tank pitch was just too much for a retired guy. Until his health forced him to officially step away from golf in 2022, he was still sharing his love of the game with others by teaching private lessons.
Over his decades in golf, Perry celebrated many accomplishments and accumulated numerous accolades and awards. He was selected the Midwest Section PGA's Professional of the Year twice (even if he would say the second time was due to a technicality – that technicality being he was the only section member to vote and he voted for himself!), private club Merchandiser of the Year 3 times, and Teacher of the Year. In addition to these awards, he celebrated 2 Hall of Fame inductions: the Midwest Section PGA Golf Hall of Fame and the Ozarks Golf Hall of Fame.
Outside of the professional golf arena, Perry was known as a friend to all and best daddy a girl could have; a title that would expand to include being the Best Paw Paw in 2002. When he did find time to enjoy casual golf, Perry would travel to Scotland with friends and club members. There they toured the country playing many of the most historical and world-renowned golf courses, such as, St. Andrews, Gleneagles, and Royal Troon. Perry has always had an interest in his Scottish Heritage, so these trips were more than just golf holidays to him; even if the only Leslie relative he found there was apparently the town idiot. Perry found the most enjoyment from the simplest things and he had multiple "hobbies" over the years. He could spend all day at thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales building his "collection" of rare finds and oddities (yes, that is what they are being called in Perry's honor). He could never pass up a "heck of a deal" nor the opportunity to tell anyone about it! He also could not have cared less about anything fancy and was most at-home at events serving hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, ice cream, popcorn, and coke zero! He never met a cookie he didn't like either. His biggest love though, aside from Blair, Janet, grandkids, and golf, was music. Perry spent the last years of his life amassing a collection of over 50,000 songs he personally converted from vinyl, 8 track, and cassette – starting with his extensive catalogue of music by Wayne Carson, a dear friend. He would then create flash drive "mix tapes" and pass them out to friends and family. Perry could also almost be considered a one-man PR team for his favorite artists on American Idol or The Voice. Perry loved all types of music and would often bust out a bar or two at random when a conversation reminded him of a song.
Perry was an avid lover of all thing's sports. He (by marriage) and Janet were L.A. Laker's season ticket holders and, since returning to Missouri, have been Mizzou athletics season ticket holders. No matter the weather they could be found, clad in their best Mizzou regalia, cheering on their beloved Tigers! Perry and Janet have been very involved in the Mizzou athletic scene. Every year they attend various events and fundraisers, some of which have contributed to their home décor as you are greeted by two, close to life-size, tiger statues as you enter their front door – that is, after ringing the doorbell that plays the Mizzou fight song!
Of all the roles, titles, and positions Perry has been known for, Daddy was the one of which he was most proud. They say there is a special bond between a father and daughter, and while this is true, it cannot adequately describe Perry and Blair. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her; in his eyes she was perfect! If he had only $1 to his name, he would give her $0.99. and then probably end up spending the last penny on her anyway! He bent over backwards to see to it that she was happy and, although she did not always show it, she was. Blair was always so proud of her Daddy! When he was playing in qualifying rounds for the senior tour Blair would exhaust her mother with incessant exclamations of "isn't he cute?" while following him through 18 holes! Her most fond memories of her dad are their annual trips to Orlando for the International Golf Merchandise Show. They would go to Disney World and EPCOT and have the best adventures! As Blair was growing up Perry would take her with him to the golf shop in the summer, much to the chagrin of the staff. Blair was a bit of a feral child in those days but looks back on those times as some of her best childhood memories. Everyone knows Blair didn't make it easy on Perry, but no matter how much she messed up, he never stopped believing in her. Throughout all the ups and downs she knew how much she was loved and how lucky she was to have Perry for a daddy. Perry said it best at Blair's wedding, "if you love em hard enough, they'll turn out alright".
As his granddaughter's would say, Perry was "a baddie". (the English translation is "awesome") He was successful in love, life, and sports. To be in his presence was to feel loved. He put his whole heart into everything he did and made every effort to include as many people as possible into his life. His is a presence that will be deeply missed but will be remembered often and fondly.
Perry has remained steadfast in his Catholic faith for most of his life, and has rarely missed a Sunday Mass. Whenever he would travel, his first order of business was to locate the nearest Catholic church and look up their Mass schedule. Over the years he has developed friendships with Priests and Bishops, often giving them comments on their golf swing in the vestibule after Mass. In recent times of sickness, Perry was given strength by visits from Msgr. Greg, and in his last days these visits took on a new meaningfulness as Msgr. Greg gently and lovingly comforted him and gave his soul rest, illuminating the path for the transition between heaven and Earth.
Perry was preceded in death by his parents, and younger brother Bobby. He leaves behind: beloved wife Janet; daughter Blair and her husband Kenneth, granddaughters Maddy (21), Abby (15), and Emily (6); stepson Sean and his wife Kathi, their 2 children Kennedy (17) and Finley (15); older brother Paul and his wife Mega, nephews Paul, Perry, and Tommy and niece Genevieve; as well as multiple first and second cousins, and more friends than could fit into "The Zou".
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Msgr. Greg Higley officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.parkermillard.com.