Mr. Leslie Killebrew Sr.

Leslie Ford Killebrew, Sr., 71, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2014 at his home in Byram. Visitation will be 2-5pm Sunday, August 17, 2014 and 1pm until the 2pm funeral service Monday, August 18, 2014, all at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. By: Allison Walker Killebrew This is something I have been thinking about writing for the past two or so months. I have even sat down and written a sentence, maybe two and then stopped. It was just too hard. I didn't know what to say. And I so desperately wanted to say the right thing. The perfect thing. This afternoon my father-in-law passed away. He had cancer. It wasn't an easy end... for anyone. But I realized in his last days that what I said didn't have to be perfect. It just had to come from my heart and it would be the right words. I had visions of writing an obituary like the one author and Boss Queen Jill Conner Browne wrote for her mother. If you have never read it, it is amazing. We all should be loved so much that we are remembered so fondly. And although I won't be as eloquent or as witty, this father in law of mine... he deserves nothing less. Because he was more than a name and birth date. More than a hometown and survivors. He was so much more. I started writing this earlier today. Long before I knew today would be his last. I am so glad that in his last moments I spent some of that time loving him, remembering him, writing this for him. He was the leader of his family. Truly. He born July 26, 1943, in Tchula, Mississippi, at Horseshoe Lake and grew up as the "Baby Boy" in a family full of girls. In fact, that is what his mother called him, "Baby Boy." He did have a sweet brother, Wally, but he was truly surrounded by females. Regardless he was tough... even before life's hardships thrust the necessity of being tough upon him. I have heard him tell that in wrestling matches with his friends it would take two boys to take him down. He would need that toughness, because at an unimaginably young age he became the man of the house when his father died. That had to be a life shaping moment for him. He became a man, without the most important role model a boy has. But he was never less for it. In fact, I think it made him more. Leslie went to Central High School… joined the Navy at 16... got a tattoo that is basically unrecognizable now... and met and marred the love of his life Betty Jean Miller. He can thank his very best friend, James Driver, for introducing him to the twin sister of his steady Barbara. The couple settled in Mississippi, and built a home and filled it with a son Leslie Ford, Jr., otherwise known as "Brother," and a daughter, Sandra Leigh Paige. And a little while later, another son, Walter Shane. Leslie was a head strong man who was used to getting his way... in fact he won the name battle with all of his children, almost: one named for him and one named for the old western movie "Shane." His daughter narrowly escaped being another "Leslie".... because you know that name works for a boy and a girl. He provided for his family and climbed the corporate ladder, first working for Mississippi Wholesale Drug and then started Chapman Wholesale Drug Company in Ridgeland that is currently Cardinal Health. And in retirement he was the mail man... seriously. He worked at the post office with his friend Bobby Vail and sometimes even delivered mail. Leslie Ford, Sr. genuinely loved the outdoors and instilled that love in both his boys and several of his grandchildren. He loved hunting and raised two sons with the same love and passion for hunting that they will undoubtedly pass along to future Killebrews. They are master huntsmen. It must be in the blood. It is more than what can be taught. It is a knowledge and respect for nature. The woods is their sanctuary, their communion with their Lord and Savior. Leslie was a founding member of Linwood Hunting Club and served as President for the past 12 years. In fact, he is still the President, and his shoes will be extremely hard to fill. Ask any female in the family, most family gatherings were filled with deer camp talk... land leases, work days, tree camera pictures, sheds, scrapes... Yeah. I know a lot of hunting words. It is required in this family. He loved Mississippi history, especially Civil War history, and never passed a service member that he didn't personally stop and thank. He loved the Smokey Mountains, Cade's Cove, and a sweet little dog named Duke... who many thought was just a miniature dog version of Mr. K himself. He and I bonded over our mutual love of sales and good deals. Where many would listen begrudgingly to my regaling of the steals I found.... he was genuinely interested. And I loved him dearly for cheering me on. Although I am sure Mr. K would have spent many more moments in this world loving on his grandchildren, one of his greatest pleasures, he is now home. He is now without pain. And for that we rejoice because we know he gazes upon Jesus’ face. He was baptized at 12 years old at a Billy Graham crusade and again in 1969 after Paige was born. We celebrate his life... this family he gave to us. We have each other to lean on when the missing him seems unbearable. But we will make it through those moments and move on to others... ones that will make us smile and remember all the wonderful things about this man. Middle of the night egg sandwiches. Ice Cream obsessions. Deer Camp politics. Old cemeteries. Grocery store sales. Shorts with cargo pockets. Driving the Van Winkle church bus. Cheering on three children who were all voted Most Athletic in High School. Leslie Ford Killebrew, Sr. leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Betty, children Leslie Jr., Paige, and Shane, the outlaws Renee and Allison, and grandchildren, Chase, Jessica, Miranda, Caroline and Anna Ford... who anyone would tell you were his favorites out of all of us. Three sisters, Debbie, Jeanette, and Judy, survive him. And an entire hunting camp... his other family. He meant so many things to so many people that reached outside of his circle of family and friends. He was a member of the Exchange Club of West Jackson, was on the Magnolia Academy Board of Directors, and was the West Jackson Exchange Club baseball commissioner and coached both football and baseball. Rest sweet man. Visit with your brother and your parents. Hold your first grandson Taylor. Go find Mr. E and tell him about all those cute little great grandsons of his. We will carry on. Not without tears, but you taught us well. We will ensure that the littlest know about you and how adored they were by you. We will remind each other every day of your legacy. We will look for good deals... at least I will. We will lean on each other when we ache. We will make you proud. Watch over us. We will see you again. Memorials May be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society, or the Baptist Childrens Village