Denis Lessor

Denis Lee Lessor was born, April 21st, 1957 to Leo C Lessor and Joleene (Brockett) Lessor in Altus, Oklahoma. He graduated high school in 1975 from Auburn, NE. Denis continued his education and basketball career at Hastings College (Hastings, NE) where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics in 1979 and is in the HC Athletic Hall of Fame. Denis married Brenda (Holding) Lessor on May 20th, 1978 in Auburn, NE. They resided in Hastings, NE, where they raised their three children; Ryan, Rachel, and Amber. Denis worked as an independent insurance agent but also continued his love for basketball. He was the head coach for the men’s basketball team at Central Community College, assistant coach with the men’s basketball team for Hastings College, and helped coach his daughters and their teammates. He loved traveling to watch the girls play in all their sporting events, keeping up with Ryan and his “activities”, participating in the annual Whoopers and Hoopers tournament, playing pickup games at the Y, and hanging out with their friends at the Wheel or on the golf course. 

In 2003, Denis suffered from a brain aneurysm, beat the odds and survived. We were blessed to have another 20 years with him. After he retired, Denis and Brenda moved to Kansas City, MO to be closer to family. He continued to make trips back to Nebraska to visit his son, Ryan. Denis could be found on the golf course with his daughters or friends, playing the role of “Papa” with his seven grandkids, or watching golf and football. Through his ridiculous jokes and valuable advice, his fun, loving personality continued to spread through Kansas City. Overall, Denis was a wonderful human and will be greatly missed. 

Denis passed away September 26th in his home from pancreatic cancer after being diagnosed just a brief six weeks before. Survivors include his wife Brenda Lessor of Kansas City, MO; son Ryan Lessor of Grand Island, NE; daughters Rachel (Josh Murdock) Lessor and Amber (Eric) Hubbs; seven grandchildren, Mary-Alice, Ann-Marie, Amabelle, and Jace Murdock, Olivia, David, and Granger Hubbs; mother, JoleeneLessor all of Kansas City, MO; brother Mark (Sue) Lessor of Omaha, NE; sister Lori (Al) Rohlfing of Kansas City, MO; sister-in-law Valarie (Mike) Andrew of Little Elm, TX; and brothers-in-law, Brad (Terry Meyer) Holding of Eagle Grove, IA and Vaughn (Linda) Holding of Ayr, NE. Preceded in death by his father, Leo Lessor; father-in-law, Larry Holding; and mother-in-law Palma Joy Holding. 

There will be a celebration of life for Denis at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9555 N Oak Tfwy, Kansas City, MO 64155, Saturday October 7th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Brenda to assist with expenses would be greatly appreciated. Friends of the family have also started a GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/572fa4c6.