George Andrew Ledom, Jr.

George Andrew Ledom, Jr., age 97, of Buhler, Kansas, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024 in his assisted living apartment at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community.

He was born on Thursday, July 28, 1927 in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of George Andrew and Hazel Iva (Brown) Ledom, Sr. He was born in the bedroom of the house his father bought in 1926. When George was about 2 years old, his father bought 80 acres northwest of Ottawa and rented out the house in town to an aunt and uncle. About 6 years later, his father moved the family back to their house in Ottawa. In July, 2023, at 95 years young, George sold the family house and moved away from the home and city he knew like the back of his hand. Leaving Ottawa was extremely difficult for him, but it was time to move on to a new life, to be near his younger daughter and her husband, to wait for God to take him Home.

George graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1945. That summer while George was working at a downtown tin shop, Mr. E. C. Quigley from Kansas University, visited, wanting him to play basketball at KU. George received a letter from Mr. Quigley and one from Phog Allen, the KU coach. As tempting it was to play basketball at KU, George chose to attend Ottawa University, graduating in 1949.

In late 1948, OU student George spotted a beautiful woman crossing Main Street. After some inquires, he learned that she hailed from Denver, Colorado and she also attended OU. On Sunday, December 31, 1950, George was united in marriage with that beautiful woman, Margaret Lorene “Woody” Woodruff at her family’s home in Denver, Colorado. Much later in their lives, Woody suffered a stroke. George took care of her for 9 years, learning to do laundry and cook. He became well known for his barbequed ribs and oatmeal bars. Eventually another stroke made it too difficult for George to care for her and she passed on July 13, 2020.

Woody and George enjoyed a full life sharing thousands of hours laughing, hiking on their “40” south of town, feeding numerous dogs and cats, horses, birds and squirrels. But most of all, they loved sharing their time and love with family and friends. George spent his last 14 months in Buhler and his love for family and friends was greatly reciprocated in visits, phone calls, and cards from those who loved him.

George worked thirty-two years as a civil engineer, working twenty-two years for the City of Ottawa as the city engineer until retiring in September 1989. Earlier he worked for the Gas Service Company and the Kansas State Highway Commission. One of his most demanding and satisfying jobs was during late 1968 to early 1970, working for Kansas Department of Transportation as project engineer during the construction of the K-68 Highway bridge over the Marias Des Cygnes River in Ottawa.

He was a member of Ottawa First United Methodist Church, Ottawa Lodge #18, Ancient Free and Accepted Mason where he was Past Master; Union Chapter #15, Order of Eastern Star where he was Past Worthy Patron; Ottawa Elks Lodge #803, AARP, and Ducks Unlimited.

Along with his wife Woody, he was preceded in death by his parents George, Sr. and Hazel Ledom, brothers Jack Ledom and Robert Ledom, and son-in-law Michael Shaw.

George is survived by his daughters, Valerie Shaw (Art) of Hermleigh, Texas and Karla Hein (John) of Buhler, Kansas; grandsons, Micah Shaw (Aimee) of Canterbury, New Hampshire, and Matthew Shaw (Gaby) of Iquique, Chile; granddaughter, Emma Essery (Rob) of Garland, Texas; great granddaughter Catherine Shaw and great grandson Jack Shaw of Canterbury, New Hampshire.

Funeral services will be held 10:00am, Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. The family will greet friends from 5:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, also at the funeral home.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope House, Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, or Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory Street, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.