Leonard Anderson Dunaway

Leonard Anderson Dunaway, 91, died peacefully on May 3, 2024, surrounded by family at Good Samaritan in Olathe, KS.

Leonard was born October 5, 1932, in Chilhowee, Missouri to Royston and Mable (Anderson) Dunaway. He was their only, long-awaited and longed-for child and as such he enjoyed a childhood of being cherished.

He enlisted in the Air Force and entered the Korean War at the age of 19. He was fortunate to not see combat instead serving his fellow soldiers as a cook. He talked of peeling mounds of potatoes a day. He was honorably discharged after four years and returned to attend college at Central Missouri State where he studied Business Finance.

Leonard married the love of his life, Edith Yeoman, on September 14th, 1963, and together they raised three children, Stan, Letha and John. Their marriage was filled with love, patience and mutual respect. They made their home in Paola, Kansas until 1975 and then settled in Overland Park. In 2019 they moved into Homestead Memory Care in Olathe when Edith's memory declined. Leonard did not need to move into the Memory Care Unit but he refused to be separated from his beloved wife. That is just one example his character and the depth of his love. Their marriage lasted 56 years until Edith's death in 2020.

Leonard spent most of his working life as a loan officer at banks in Kansas City, Paola, and Overland Park, KS. He told stories of surviving three bank robberies, one that happened just after Edith called him to say she was going into labor with their third child. Fortunately, he was able to get there in time!

While he made his living in finance, his heart was elsewhere. His first love was Jesus, then his family, followed *very* closely by the St. Louis Cardinals (his first son was named after Stan Musial), and then Union Station.

Leonard lived to serve other people as a follower of Jesus like few men do. He was a member of the Nall Avenue Baptist Church for over 40 years. He participated in the prayer ministry, among many other activities at the church. For decades he called people who couldn't leave their homes and delivered a short sermon, communion, and prayed with them. He volunteered at City Union Mission delivering meals to those in need, walking miles and climbing flights of stairs well into his 70's. He loved people from all places and backgrounds. No matter who you were, no matter where you came from, no matter what you had Leonard would *see* you, he would tell you that you were loved by Jesus...and then he would tell you stories of the St. Louis Cardinals or Union Station depending on his mood. And he made you listen until he was done! He made friends of professional baseball players and people who were houseless, and he didn't regard one as more important than the other.

Leonard and Edith were core members of the Kansas City community who worked to bring Union Station back from the brink when it was set to be demolished. He remembered going through Union Station when he was in the service and couldn't imagine it being destroyed. Once Union Station was restored to what it is today, Leonard became a volunteer, giving tours and being "the guy" who knew anything you wanted to know about the history of Union Station.

Leonard was an amazing grandfather. He eagerly babysat whenever he was needed. He showed up on Saturday mornings to take grandchildren to McDonald's or on long walks. They were spoiled with pancakes and Cokes and ice cream. He was quick with a laugh and even quicker with a story. He showed up to whatever they were involved and his home was always open to them.

Leonard leaves behind a legacy of love. His is survived by his daughter Letha Dunaway and husband Shawn Sanai of Lenexa, KS, Son, John Dunaway and wife Susan of Olathe, KS. Grandchildren Caiden Smith and wife Michelle of Olathe, KS; Sydney Dunaway of Germantown, WI; Hannah Dunaway and husband Jordan Crump of Durham, NC; Eli and Liam Dunaway of Olathe, KS and one great-grandson, baby Emerson who he never had the pleasure of meeting but in whom he would have taken great delight.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Edith and his son, Stan.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you be like Leonard. Pay it forward. Help a neighbor, give a gift to someone in need, donate to your favorite charity with him in mind. Love, be kind, donate what you can, help where you can. Leonard lived his life in the service of others and told a lot of stories along the way. Be like him for just a moment and you will bring honor to his memory more than you could know.

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