Gerard "Jerry" W. Lehman

Gerard "Jerry" W. Lehman, age 78, of Towanda, KS, passed away December 10, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital, Wichita, KS. The past 2 years he resided at El Dorado Lakepoint Nursing Home in long term care. Gerard was born in Ozawkie, KS to Glen R. Lehman and Edna Lehman. His parents moved to Lincoln, MO when he was in 3rd grade. His parents later moved to Towanda, KS when Jerry was 15 years old in 1957. Jerry played basketball at Towanda High School for 3 years. He played the tuba and the sousaphone with the high school band, one year marching at the Kansas State Fair. His senior class took a trip to Old Mexico in 1960. He graduated from Towanda High School in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart (the girl next door), Loretta (Starr) in 1963, and they were married for 57 years.

Gerard graduated from Pittsburg State College in 1964 with a Bachelor's degree in business administration. He was a member of the fraternity, Phi Sigma Epsilon in his sophomore and junior years of college.

Jerry's first job was driving a Dairy Queen scooter for his father in Missouri.  As a teenager he was employed as a fry cook at the Towanda Turnpike restaurant on 2nd shift during the summer.  He also worked in the hay field for several summers.  At age 16, he was hired at Towanda State Bank as a janitor.  He later became a teller, loan officer, Vice President, President for 30 years, and later Vice President again. Gerard was employed at Towanda State Bank for 58 years, and received his 50 year pin in banking in 2010 from the State Banking Department in Topeka, KS. He also served as the director and chairman of the board for Towanda State Bank. Gerard was also the insurance agent for the Towanda Insurance Agency. For many years, Gerard also served with the Towanda Lion's Club, and he had served on the Towanda City Council in the past.

Gerard is survived by his wife, Loretta Lehman of 57 years; his two sons, Adam Lehman of Tucson, AZ, and Aaron Lehman (Melanie) of Wichita, KS; two brothers, Robert Lehman (Connie) of Benton, KS, and Glen R. Lehman, Jr. of McAllen, TX; two brothers-in-law, Ronnie Starr (Lois) of Towanda, KS, and Gerald Starr (Sharon) of Towanda, KS; six grandchildren, Alley Arvieux (Zack) of Emporia, KS, Craig Lehman of Wichita, KS, and Sommer, Shayna, Andrew, and Austin Lehman and their mother, Melinda Lehman of Tucson, AZ; 2 great grandchildren, Lyrik and Akai Arvieux of Emporia, KS; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Edna Lehman; 2 sisters-in-law, Georgia Lehman formerly of McAllen, TX, and Thelma (Starr) Workman formerly of Concordia, KS; a brother-in-law, LeRoy Workman formerly of Concordia, KS.

Jerry loved people young and old, and he loved working with people making loans. He loved watching Circle High School football games. He also loved boating, camping, water skiing (he taught several people how to water ski!), snow skiing, motorcycling, riding dirt bikes, hunting, fishing, watching Western movies, spending evenings at the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon, gardening, and visiting with relatives and friends. He had a wonderful baritone voice and loved to sing for people. Gerard and his family loved to travel and took several memorable trips including a 10 day trip visiting his brother in Hawaii, a trip to Washington D.C. where they toured the White House, and to New York City where they went to the top of the World Trade Center. He was king of the fun lovers. "Fun lovers unite!"

Being raised in Church by his Christian parents, Jerry received Jesus as his savior as a teenager and was later baptized at the Low Water Bridge West of Towanda, KS. One year he was a Bible Camp Counselor at Hutchinson Bible Camp.

 A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Towanda United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 529 N 11th St, Towanda, KS 67144 or Mom's Pantry (a community food pantry in Towanda), 2083 NW Ohio St., Towanda KS 67144.

Thank you to all those who knew and helped Jerry through his life.
Life is for living and living he did!!!
"Grateful to the Lord for all of His Blessings!"
"Hello Heaven - Good-bye world!"