Joshua Ryan Leck, 47, of rural McPherson, KS, died Friday, February 7, 2025.
Joshua was born on January 14, 1978, to John and Mary (Shaw) Leck in Washington, KS, where he grew up with his three younger siblings: Jessica, Justin, and Johnny. He graduated from Washington High School. Joshua was an outstanding student with a love for the outdoors. He was fond of walking the creeks and pastures of the family farms and while working for the Farm Service Agency conservation district.
Joshua met his wife of 25 years, Shana (Irish), while majoring in Chemistry at Fort Hays State University. They married on May 22, 1999, at the City Park in DeSoto, KS. In the same year, Joshua began his most-loved career, gaining the title “Dad” at the birth of their firstborn son, Aaron. He enriched his faith under mentorship of the pastoral team and community of Hays Christian Church. He graduated from FHSU with a BS in Chemistry in 2001.
After establishing a home in McPherson, KS, where Joshua was a chemist for 23 years at Pfizer Pharmaceutical Plant, his family grew to include Elizabeth and Elijah.
In addition to being a chemist, Joshua was an ordained minister and part of the pastoral team at Monitor Community Church of the Brethren for a number of years. He was also a foster parent to many children. In the roles of pastor and foster parent, he delighted in gleaning wisdom from others, especially the kids.
In 2006, the family moved to a small acreage in rural McPherson County, where Joshua rekindled his love of Kansas prairies by planting trees and restoring pastures to native grasses. With a love for all things that grow, his largest joys included romping through the pasture, tending the animals, and storytelling with his children. Joshua cherished opportunities to pick mulberries, watch sunsets, and scatter seed by hand. He was fond of firewood stacking and woodworking.
Joshua sought God’s truth in the mountains as much as the prairie. He traveled lightly, with only his hat, boots, canvas bag, and just enough sustenance to nourish his body and soul. Accompanied by his family, he filled his journal and photo albums with notes and images of trees. In the Cottonwood, Burr Oak, Persimmon, and Ancient Redwood alike, he marveled in God’s creation and love.
As a son, husband, dad, pastor, and co-worker, he sought to imitate Christ and engage with others as neighbor and friend. In all his communities, he was known as a quiet, gentle soul who loved with his whole self.
Survived by his wife, Shana; children, Aaron, Elizabeth, and Elijah (Malia); parents, John and Mary Leck of Washington, KS; siblings, Jessica Leck, Justin (Emily) Leck, and Johnny (Michelle) Leck; and a niece, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, at Monitor Community Church of the Brethren, 1098 6th Avenue, McPherson, KS 67460. To view a live-stream broadcast of the service, please visit the link at www.stockhamfamily.com.