Leland W. Kiker

Leland was born on June 21, 1926, in Childress, Texas. He graduated from Childress High School in May of 1944 and was drafted into the United States Army later in October later that same year. He was assigned to Patton’s 3rd Army, 87th Golden Acorn Infantry Division, Company G, in Germany during World War II and was discharged in January 1947.

Leland enrolled at Texas A&M University where he graduated with a degree in Range & Forestry in the summer of 1950. As a member of the Aggie Corp, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant and was automatically placed in the Army Reserves.

Leland worked for the Soil Conservation Service beginning in 1950 until he was called up for military service. His unit was on the front lines in Korea from December 1951 through June 1952. He was once again discharged from service in July 1952, and then returned to soil conservation work in Junction, Llano, and Denton, Texas. In 1953, he married Ann Minns to whom he was married until her death in 1981. Together they had five children.

Leland was once again called to active duty in September 1961, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is when he earned the rank of Captain, and was yet again discharged from duty in December 1962.

From 1963-1991, Leland worked as a cowboy, specializing in selective breeding on various cattle ranches. In 1989, Leland married Neva Alexander Kemper and gained another daughter. He retired from Granite Hills Hereford Ranch in Llano, Texas at age 65. Leland was named “Cowboy of the Year” by the Llano Livestock Raisers Association in 2008.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Rena Sue Alverson Kiker, and his step-mother, Lucy Kiker, who helped raise him from age 7.

He is survived by his wife, Neva, his children and their spouses, Charles (Charlie) & Glenna Kiker, James (Jim) & Lana Kiker, John & Ellen Kiker, Wesley & Janet Kiker, Katherine (KD) & Todd Keller, and Renee & Ed Murray. He has six grandchildren (Andy Kiker, Lee Ann Deer, Tonya Thomas, Justin Kiker, Nolan Keller and Luke Keller and five great grandchildren, Grayson Deer, Bennett Deer, Landry Deer, Koraline Kiker, and Keegan Leland Kiker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lutie Watkins Memorial Methodist Church, Llano, TX, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.

Memorial service will be at Lutie Watkins Memorial Methodist Church on Sat. Sept. 16th 11am with meal

and a visitation to follow in fellowship hall.