Leslie, Floyd

Miami, died on Sunday, Dec 19, 1999, at 9:58 am. He was 89. Mr. Leslie was born on Jan 9, 1910, in Galena Kansas. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Thetis Bay in the South Pacific during World War II. During his long and active life, he had several careers. For the past 40 years, he owned and operated Leslie Mattress Factory, Miami, He owned and operated Leslie Drug Store, Cardin Oklahoma, for many years. He worked for Eagle-Picher Company in the assay office, experimental lab, and the railroad scale office. During the 1930's he was a renowned knuckleball pitcher and pitched for the Western Association, a semi-pro league of the time. Mr. Leslie was a member of Cardin Christian Church, where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of the Gideons International, a 58 year member of Ottawa Lodge # 478 A.F.&A.M., a member of Ottawa Lodge $492 A.F&A.M. Miami Lodge #140 A.F.&A.M., the Tulsa Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star 107, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was married to Aletha Ray on Oct 12, 1935 by Dr. Crockett of the Presbyterian Chapel at the School of the Ozarks in Hollister Missouri. She survives, of the home. Additional survivors include a son and his wife, Lawrence Ralph and Nelda Leslie, of the home; and two sisters, Reva Abram and Dorotha Sith, both of Galena Kansas. The service is 10 am Thursday at Cardin Christian Church, with Bill Richey and Clyde Stilley officiating. Burial is at Hillcrest cemetery, Galena Kansas, with Masonic graveside rites. Pallbearers are Henry Patton, DeWayne Treece, Garry Abram, Ron Sith, Steve Vogel, and Pat Price. Honorary pallbearers are Todd Hale, Joe Don Treece, Chad Abram, Kyle Vogel, Phil Vogel, Matt Vogel, Ross Vogel, Kelly Abbott, Marshall Abbott, Darren Abbott, Brent Brittian, Derk Brittian, and Steve Brittian. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 pm Wednesday, at Abbott funeral home, Baxter Springs Kansas. There is a photo with the article.