Bruce Eugene LeBaron

He was born on June 16, 1928, in Fredonia, NY to parents Ernest and Hazel (Young) LeBaron. Along with his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by brother, Earl “Buddy” LeBaron, sister Helen Whalen and sister Hazel Marchiando. His wife, Mariam LeBaron died in 2021.

Bruce was active in baseball and football at Fredonia High School. He played on the infamous 1945 FHS Hillbillies undefeated football team. Following graduation from Fredonia High School, Bruce enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea with the 42nd Engineer Combat Battalion during the final stages of World War II. After his military service, he attended Bryant & Stratton Business Institute in Buffalo, NY.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mariam (Sanderson) LeBaron, and they raised two children. The family moved from Fredonia to Whitefish Bay, Wis., then to Williamsville, NY.,and finally to Wichita, Kans.

Bruce built a successful career in manufacturing and engineering, working for ALCO, A.O. Smith, and Joy Manufacturing before joining Koch Engineering in 1967 in Wichita, Kans. He served as a divisional vice president until his retirement in 1992.

A devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Wichita, Bruce served as a Stephen Minister and participated with his wife in the Double Ring Sunday School class for over four decades. In retirement, he volunteered by driving the Midian Shriner Van to transport patients to St. Louis for care at the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Bruce had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling, gardening and raising hunting dogs. His life was marked by service, dedication, and a deep commitment to community. He and Mariam returned to Fredonia many times for class reunions and visiting family.

Bruce is survived by his daughter Pat LeBaron of Redmond, WA; son Jim LeBaron and his wife Brenda of Park City, KS; sister-in-law Donna Carlson of Forestville, NY; nephew David Carlson of Fredonia, NY; and niece Wendy Miller of Oak Lawn, IL. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wichita Midian Shriners Hospital Van & Plane of Mercy Service or to Botanica Wichita.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church (330 N Broadway St, Wichita, Kans., 67202) on Aug. 9 at 11:00 a.m. Private interment with family members will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia.