Phyllis Jean Hoskinson
Phyllis Jean Hoskinson was born to Joseph and Dora (Black) Hoskinson in Cimarron on August 27, 1931. She lived her entire childhood on a farm just outside of Copeland. Phyllis was a very adventurous little girl. She ran away from home when she was five, packed her bags without any help, but returned in time for supper! The next day, Copeland experienced a brown out dust storm.
She attended school in Copeland and graduated high school in 1949. Some of her favorite things included animals, photography, traveling with her family, and a young man named Junior Leonard from Sublette. She attended the University of Kansas, following high school, then defected to Kansas State and married Junior, December 31, 1949.
Following Junior’s graduation from Kansas State University, they moved to a farmhouse four miles south of Sublette, where they lived for the next sixty-five years. Lynn joined the family in 1951, followed by Larry in 1956, and Susie in 1958.
Along with a busy life on the farm, Phyllis pursued many interests and activities. She raised and showed cocker spaniels first in conformation then later in obedience. Her love for dogs was only superceded by her love for her family. Throughout the years, Phyllis enjoyed being a ham radio operator, boy scout leader, active member and youth sponsor of the Sublette Christian Church, and followed her children to every athletic, music, and drama event imaginable. All of these usually with a car full of kids!
April Fools and Halloween were two of her favorites. She loved dressing up and playing pranks. She had the awesome ability to fool her family and friends with costumes and masks. Using chocolate or other sweets to camouflage such items as cotton, Styrofoam, and rocks became quite a habit of hers on April Fool’s Day. Needless to say, she was good at catching her grandkids off guard!
Many years of summer vacations were spent either camping at Cuchara or fishing at Twin Lakes in Colorado. Winter snow skiing became a family tradition, as well. As eight grandchildren were born into the family, the circle of travel broadened. Days and evenings were spent on bleachers watching football, basketball, track, baseball and softball events, attending plays and Megan’s ice skating events. She shared in the joy when Travis, Josh, Matt and Cody would bring their trophy birds, turkey’s or deer by the farm for a picture. She shared a love for The Gaither’s with Sarah. Phyllis and Junior trekked as far as Orlando to see Wendy during her internship at Disney World and Wyoming to watch Beau in running and ski races. Weddings stretched from Washington to North Carolina. This grandma was a busy lady and she loved every minute of it, especially when God added sixteen great grandchildren to her Christmas list! Nothing meant more to Phyllis than sharing her faith with her family.
Especially memorable trips for Phyllis and Junior included a tour of Israel, a cruise up the Inside Passage in Alaska, and a journey to Costa Rica. In 2015 health needs led Junior and Phyllis to a new home at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. Phyllis passed away there on January 15, 2017.
Those left to carry on Phyllis’ legacy include her husband Junior; son, Lynn and his wife Sherry and family: Travis and Michelle Leonard, Cason, Cara and Isaac; Josh and Heather Leonard and Elia; and Matthew Leonard; daughter, Susie and her husband Steve Baldock and family: Megan and Kyle Hoover, Sawyer and Colter; Beau and Sarah Brucker Baldock; daughter-in-law, Risa and her husband Mike Stevens and family: Wendy and Jeremy Goodrum, Ella, Sienna, Zoe and Brecken; Cody and Heidi Leonard, Coleman, Kaden, Aria and Amelia; Sarah and Phillip Arroyo, Noah and Elliot; sister-in law, Lavelle King; and nephews, Dennis, Douglas, and Zachary King. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Dora Hoskinson, brother and sister-in-law, Owen and Marva Hoskinson, and son, Larry Leonard.
Funeral service will be held at Sublette Christian Church on Friday January 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM with Mr. Jery Bailey, Mr. Chester Wiswell, and Mr. Jim Axtell presiding. Burial will follow at Haskell County Cemetery, Sublette. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Sublette on Thursday January 19, 2017 from noon to 8:00 PM Memorials are suggested to the Sublette Christian Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
