In Memory Of
Darryl Lesser
1944
2013
Darryl Lesser
October 26, 1944 — November 19, 2013
Darryl "Dode" Lesser
In the loving arms of his wife and children, Dode Lesser went to be with his Heavenly Father on November 19, 2013 at the University of Arkansas Medical Hospital.
Darryl Joe Lesser was born on October 26, 1944 in Topeka, KS to Ernest and Virginia (Jenkins) Lesser. He attended Seaman High School where he was an All-Star in football, basketball, and pole vault. He attended and played football at Washburn University where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame and named to Washburn's All Century Team. He was also inducted in the Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame this past summer.
He went on to play in the Canadian Football League and in the Continental Football League, for the Wheeling Ironmen in Wheeling, WV.
Dode was a very successful small business owner. He owned and operated Lesser Electric, Inc. in Topeka for over 40 years.
Dode married Elsie Medlin on September 16, 1968 in Abilene, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, and granddaughter, Lauren.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Elsie Lesser; children Michael Lesser (Erin) of Topeka and Tiffany Swinehart (David) of Overland Park, KS, his beautiful grandchildren whom he absolutely adored: Ashley, Dylan, and Parker Lesser, and Alexandra Swinehart. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Lesser (Vicki), his mother-in-law, Mary Medlin, brothers-in-law Ben Parnell and Dan Wallace, and his nieces and nephews.
The family is thankful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the UAMS Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, St. Francis Cancer Center in Topeka, and Chester Davis, M.D., who with God's grace gave him over ten years of life after his diagnosis of myeloma. The family also thanks their friends for their support during his long illness. They suggest memorial contributions be made in Dode's name to Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603; The Dode & Elsie Lesser Athletic Scholarship Fund c/o Washburn University Foundation 1729 SW MacVicar Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604; or the UAMS Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy Development Office, 4301 W. Markham Street, #816, Little Rock, AR 72205-9985.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603, on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 1:00pm. The family will receive family & friends, Friday, November 22 from 5:30-7:00pm at Grace Cathedral. Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel is assisting the family.
To share your memories of Dode or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
In the loving arms of his wife and children, Dode Lesser went to be with his Heavenly Father on November 19, 2013 at the University of Arkansas Medical Hospital.
Darryl Joe Lesser was born on October 26, 1944 in Topeka, KS to Ernest and Virginia (Jenkins) Lesser. He attended Seaman High School where he was an All-Star in football, basketball, and pole vault. He attended and played football at Washburn University where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame and named to Washburn's All Century Team. He was also inducted in the Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame this past summer.
He went on to play in the Canadian Football League and in the Continental Football League, for the Wheeling Ironmen in Wheeling, WV.
Dode was a very successful small business owner. He owned and operated Lesser Electric, Inc. in Topeka for over 40 years.
Dode married Elsie Medlin on September 16, 1968 in Abilene, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, and granddaughter, Lauren.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Elsie Lesser; children Michael Lesser (Erin) of Topeka and Tiffany Swinehart (David) of Overland Park, KS, his beautiful grandchildren whom he absolutely adored: Ashley, Dylan, and Parker Lesser, and Alexandra Swinehart. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Lesser (Vicki), his mother-in-law, Mary Medlin, brothers-in-law Ben Parnell and Dan Wallace, and his nieces and nephews.
The family is thankful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the UAMS Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, St. Francis Cancer Center in Topeka, and Chester Davis, M.D., who with God's grace gave him over ten years of life after his diagnosis of myeloma. The family also thanks their friends for their support during his long illness. They suggest memorial contributions be made in Dode's name to Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603; The Dode & Elsie Lesser Athletic Scholarship Fund c/o Washburn University Foundation 1729 SW MacVicar Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604; or the UAMS Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy Development Office, 4301 W. Markham Street, #816, Little Rock, AR 72205-9985.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603, on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 1:00pm. The family will receive family & friends, Friday, November 22 from 5:30-7:00pm at Grace Cathedral. Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel is assisting the family.
To share your memories of Dode or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Darryl Lesser, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, November 22, 2013
5:30 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Memorial Service
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
Guestbook
Visits: 8
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