Lester W. Huntley

Lester W. Huntley a longtime resident of Gladstone, Missouri, passed away June 10th, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas at the age of 85.

Les was born to Elmer and Daisy Huntley in East Machias, Maine on September 24, 1939. He graduated from Washington Academy in East Machias in 1957. Joining the U.S. Air Force in 1958 he proudly served his country for 8 years. The Air Force made it possible for him to see many parts of the world. His last base assignment was Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. It was while there that he met the love of his life, April. They were married in Topeka at the First Methodist Church on May 14, 1965, and spent 60 happy years together.

After leaving the Air Force in September 1966, Les worked briefly at Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka and Cessna Aircraft in Wichita. In 1967 he landed his dream job at TWA in Kansas City, Missouri. He worked there until TWA became American Airlines and he retired in 2004.

Les leaves behind wife April and four fantastic, talented children: Brian “Wayne” (Jerri), Jeffrey (Kimberly), Leslie, Todd (Jamasa). Eight grandchildren: David (Danielle), Sean (Kristi), Brett (Courtney), Dalton, Alexandria, Jessica, Owen and Joseph “Cade”. And six great grandchildren: Hudson, Mia, Matilda, Madison, Makayla and Jettson. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Sharon) of Derby, Kansas, brother-in-law Kenneth Sourk of Dade City, Florida, and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by parents, stepparents, sister Roberta Hupper of Anson, Maine, and sister-in-law Betty Sourk.

Les was always involved with his kid’s activities and helped coach baseball and bowling along with participating in PTA and Scouting. He never lost his charming Down East accent and was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Les was a little stubborn and loved to argue. He would often cheer for the “wrong” team while watching sports on TV to irritate the family members watching it with him. He loved shoveling snow in his TWA parka, pulling weeds and fireworks. Les loved dogs and all but two dogs loved him back. He was patriotic and flew his American flag every day. Les loved to eat. His favorite meal was baked beans, charred hot dogs and HOT Folger’s coffee. He took his coffee with two creams and two sugars and knew if it wasn’t Folgers!

He will be missed. We will love him forever.

The family will have a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Washington Academy of East Machias, Maine for the Scholarship fund in Les’s memory or Wreaths Across America.