Leland L. Crist

Leland L. Crist, a lifetime Garden City area farmer, stockman, and businessman passed away on July 6, 2016 at the age of 92 at his home in Garden City, Kansas. 

The son of John U. and Ella Elizabeth (Simmons) Crist, Leland was born on October 12, 1923 in rural Scott County, Kansas, a few miles west of the Prairie View Church of the Brethren, Friend, Kansas, where his grandfather, John Eli Crist served as minister for thirty-two years. Leland was a member of the Prairie View Church. He graduated from Holcomb High School on May 22, 1942. On October 13, 1946 he married Virginia “Grace” Bruchy and to this union four children were born: Johnny, Danny, Mel, and Jacque. 

Leland was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Elks Lodge, and past member of the Flying Farmers. In June of 2006, he received a Wright Brothers Master Pilot award from the Federal Aviation Administration for fifty years of flying excellence. He owned thirty-five airplanes and two helicopters throughout his lifetime and used them extensively in his farming and cattle operations. Leland was involved in farming, livestock, dirt construction, oil and gas, and other business ventures in Southwest Kansas as well as farming and leasing of ranches in many western states. He often remarked, “If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you.” In his many business ventures, Leland made cherished and lasting friendships with his partners and associates and enjoyed transacting business with them. 

After retiring from farming, he began restoring antique tractors, a hobby he most enjoyed. He so valued and appreciated the numerous friends who would stop in to visit as well as the many people who came to see his collection of restored tractors. Leland was still fully restoring tractors in his early eighties, often working in excess of sixty hours per week. His work ethic was consistent with that of his generation and he kept at it until poorer health intervened. In 2007, he had an auction in which he sold over one-hundred of his prized tractors, all of which he had personally restored. 

Leland is survived by his four children, Johnny (Leveta) Crist, Danny (Nancy) Crist, Mel (Jane) Crist, and Jacque Crist-Dabney; his grandchildren, Kelly Crist, Jeremy Crist, Elissa Crist, Darrin (Audrey) Crist, Sara (Marcus) Jones, Danny (Krystal) Crist Jr., Todd (Amber) Crist, Toye (Darren) Wheatley, and Katrina (Julian) Brown; twelve great-grandchildren; a brother, Raymond Crist, Holcomb, Kansas;several nieces and nephews. His parents, and one sister, Bula (Crist) Buchanan preceded him in death. His beloved dog, “Hooter” preceded him in death exactly one year ago almost to the minute. 

Graveside Services will be at 9:00 A.M. Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Prairie View Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Friend, Kansas. Funeral Services will be held at the United Methodist Church of Garden City, Kansas on Saturday, July, 9, 2016 at 11:00 A.M.

Open Calling will be held at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas from 10 A.M. – 8 P.M.

Memorials are suggested to the Prairie View Church of the Brethren and the Friends Of Lee Richardson Zoo in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home of Garden City; 620 N. Main St. Garden City, Kansas.