Lee Allen Bledsoe

Lee Allen Bledsoe, 91, of Paola, Kansas, passed away at home on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Lee Allen was born on August 28, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Henry Dukes Bledsoe I and Marjorie Elizabeth (Boner) Bledsoe. As the youngest of four children, he was known to most as “Allen.” He graduated from Southeast High School in 1952 before proudly serving two years in the United States Army.

Following his service in the Army, Allen launched his career by purchasing a Kansas City Star paper route, running his own delivery business for over twenty years before retiring and going on to serve with the Leawood Fire Department.

Allen devoted his professional life to the fire service, earning an associate degree in Fire Science in 1980 to advance his career. He went on to serve as President of the Johnson County Fire Chiefs Association from 1989 to 1990 and completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program in 1998. A dedicated leader, he faithfully served as a firefighter and officer for the City of Leawood for over 25 years. He began his tenure in 1969 and retired as Assistant Fire Chief September 10, 1993, at the age of 59.

Before retiring, Allen fulfilled a lifelong dream by building a home with acreage in Paola, Kansas, where he enjoyed mowing, working on his property, taking his dog, King, around town, and spending time with his family. He had a deep love for sports—especially the Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, and KU Jayhawks—and devoted countless hours at the ballpark, gym, and soccer fields cheering on his children in baseball, basketball, soccer, and softball. He also stayed active in his community by helping at a local animal feed store and assisting with community auctions. For more than 15 consecutive summers, he carried on the cherished tradition of planning annual family vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks, bringing everyone together. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his children and grandchildren and watching his family continue to grow.

He is survived by his wife, Stacia (Stacy) Rae (Huish) Bledsoe of the home; his daughters, Shari R. (Bledsoe) Allen and her husband, Gil Allen, of Shawnee, Kansas, and Krystal Allyce Bledsoe of Lenexa, Kansas; his son, Eric Bryce Bledsoe and his wife, Amanda Louise Bledsoe, of Wichita, Kansas; his grandchildren, Jessica R. Greenwood of San Diego, California; Audrey Nichole Bledsoe and Brookelynn Michelle Bledsoe of Camdenton, Missouri; Gavin Lee Bledsoe and Owain Don Bledsoe of Wichita, Kansas; and Roxanne Michelle M. of Lenexa, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his former wife, Shirley J. (Gipfert) Bledsoe; his sons, Gary Alan Bledsoe, whose surviving wife is Connie Markovich of Tucson, Arizona, and Brit Desmond Bledsoe, whose surviving wife is Ashley Bledsoe of Camdenton, Missouri; his grandson, Mark Alan Bledsoe; and his faithful canine companions, King and Domonic.

Allen will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to public service, his strong leadership in the fire service, and his deep love for his family. He lived with integrity, compassion, and quiet strength, leaving an enduring legacy in the lives he touched. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Dengel & Son Mortuary - Paola Chapel, 305 N Pearl Street, Paola, KS, 66071. At 5:30 pm, the family will be sharing memories of Allen. 

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