KEMP, Texas — Stephen Richard Leeper, 65, passed away June 1, 2023 at his home in Kemp, Texas. He was born Sept. 11, 1957 in Ellinwood, Kan. to Lawrence and Bernice (Rebein) Leeper.

He was in the GBHS class of 1975. During high school some of his jobs included: harvest with Custom Cutters in Oklahoma and Texas, Parts Inc. auto parts store and a factory rep. for Borg Warner Inc., an international auto parts supplier.

After high school he worked in the car parts industry in Colorado and Arizona  until settling in Texas. He worked several years at Delco Remy where he met Glenda Holbrook who was his life partner for 20+ yrs. along with their beloved dogs.

Steve is survived by siblings and their spouses: Bob McClellan (Bonnie) of Lenexa, Kan., Lucie Christiansen (Bruce) of Harveyville, Kan., Paul Leeper (Jeanette) of Amarillo, Texas, Bill Leeper (Maria) of Great Bend, Kan., Mary Carlson (Carl) of Aledo, Texas, Nancy Buehne (Steve) of Lenexa, Kan.; 12 nieces and nephews and many great- nieces and great-nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Mike Leeper; and the love of his life, Glenda Holbrook.

Steve was a member of the Rockin Country Church in Kemp, Texas. He was an avid golfer and billiards player. Steve was a life-long Kansas Jayhawks basketball and Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Memorial service will be held on June 24th at 3 p.m. at Rockin Country Church in Kemp, Texas. Inurnment will take place in the Great Bend Cemetery, along with his brother Mike, to be held at a later date.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 13, 2023