Reverend Dr. George Julian Lespagnard, long time resident of Haysville, Kansas, passed away at the age of 92 on Sunday August 9th at 6:15 in the evening at the Glen Carr House facility in Derby, Kansas. Family and long time friends were present at his passing.

George was born at the homestead house in the flint hills about 7 miles south and east of Cedar Point, Kansas, the fourth of four children born to Ernest and Gladys Lespagnard. He first attended school in the one room school house called New Hope about a mile and a half from where the family lived and then went on to graduate from Cedar Point High School, then earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, then his master’s from Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kansas and his doctorate from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma.

George became an ordained minister by the Christian Church of Kansas in 1959 and served God, the church, and different communities for 53 years. He retired in 2012 while ministering at the First Christian Church in Haysville, Kansas where he served 24 years. While in Emporia he worked for the Mental Health Center, mostly with programs for the aging. George did other sideline work along the way, he worked with a railroad crew, was a lineman, drove a school bus and an ambulance, he was also a substitute teacher. While in Emporia, he refurbished the waterwell drill his father had built and used it at many locations in the area.

George greatly enjoyed the outdoors and a variety of sports activities, of which basketball was his favorite. While attending Manhattan Christian College he coached the basketball team and met a cheerleader named Anita Louise Fox. They were married in Broadway Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas in 1960. They had two children, Randal Lee Lespagnard, born may 14, 1961 in Herington, Kansas and Jennifer Louise Lespagnard Breese, born April 24, 1965 in Enid, Oklahoma.

George was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Anita Louise Lespagnard, father, Ernest Charles Louis Lespagnard, mother, Gladys Pearl Lespagnard, sister, Ruth Maude “Rusty” Ford, sister, Ernestine Marie Hurdle, and sister Blanche Pearl Williams.

George is survived by his son, Randal Lee Lespagnard, daughter, Jennifer Louise Lespagnard Breese (Mike), grandchildren; Brandon Michael Lespagnard (Breanna), Laura Julian Lespagnard, Nathan Breese (Brandi), Stephanie Breese - Ko, and Kyle Breese (Laura), 17 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

From Matthew 25:21 “Well done good and faithful servant”

Rest in peace father.

A memorial service for both George and Anita will be held on August 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Haysville Christian Church