Leslie R. Mason

State Representative Leslie “Les” Ray Mason of McPherson, Kansas died Monday, June 3, 2024 at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita at the age of 69.

Les was born on October 11, 1954, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His parents, Gertrude and Reverend Floyd Mason, moved to Nebraska and later McPherson, Kansas where Les spent most of his childhood.

Les was a graduate of McPherson High School in 1972 and Central Christian College of McPherson in 1974 with a degree in business and marketing. He married Kala Ann Archer on April 3, 1976. They had 3 children, Christopher, Jennifer, and Angela. He initially worked at Green’s Furniture in McPherson and later for W.R. Mill in McPherson as a sales manager. He left WR Mill to start a home-based business, Mason Marketing. This later became The Old Muffin Factory. The company made muffin and pancake mixes that were shipped all over the country. Les and Kala operated a retail store, The Old Muffin Factory, in McPherson for several years. The store closed in 2008 as they transitioned back to shipping the mixes before their retirement in 2018 due to Kala’s cancer. Les and Kala were married for 44 years before Kala lost her battle with cancer in April 2020.

Les met Victoria Runco Paluck in 2020, and they were married on September 3, 2022. The two loved to travel together and spend time in McPherson and Topeka, Kansas, Castle Rock, CO and Scottsdale, Arizona. They had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan together with other members of the Kansas legislature in October 2023. They also enjoyed spending time with friends and family and camping at Kanopolis Lake.  They especially enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and attending their school and sport activities.

Les has been active in the McPherson community as a member of the Kiwanis Club in McPherson, Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way Board. Les was a member of Dick Nichols' campaign for Congress in 1990. Les has been a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives for the 73rd district since 2014. He has served many roles in the House, most recently as Mentor of Freshman members of the House, the House Assistant Majority Leader, and Chair of the Social Services Budget Committee.

He is preceded in death by his late wife, Kala Mason. He is survived by his wife Victoria, his son Christopher (wife Brooke, son Cole) of Hutchinson, KS, daughter Jennifer of McPherson, KS and daughter Angela Brunk (husband Jesse, daughter Danica) of McPherson, KS; Stepson Ryan Paluck (wife Kyla, sons Korbin and Kash). He is also survived by his brother David Mason (wife Peggie). 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Monday, June 10, 2024, at Countryside Covenant Church, 940 E. Northview Ave., McPherson.  The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, June 11, at Countryside Covenant Church with Rev. Jon Black officiating.   Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please  click on the following link: https://boxcast.tv/view/les-mason-funeral-rqgj1lobswx1mio8xgk5

Memorial donations may be made to Kansans for Life, McPherson Opera House, or Step MC in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.