Lelon Capps Obituary

Memorial services for Lelon Roger Capps, 88, Lawrence, will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway. Inurnment will be in Pioneer Cemetery.

Lee went to be with his Lord after a short stay at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on January 19. Lee was born on August 6, 1930 in Alma, Wisconsin.

He served in the United States Army in the Korean War from 1951-1953 in the intelligence area dealing with code development and use.

He was married to the love of his life, Lois Emelia Plank on June 5, 1954.

Following the completion of his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Lee began his career at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1960. In 1962 he accepted a position at the University Of Kansas School Of Education, providing over 50 years of service. His teaching and scholarship focused on mathematics and specifically the language of mathematics. For many years he also provided professional development for teachers of mathematics, presenting well over 600 lectures and workshops within the U.S. and many international locations. Lee was a Million Miler with Delta Airlines during his career. While at KU, Lee served as director of elementary education, assistant dean and associate dean for the School of Education. Lee was instrumental in initiating the Kansas University School of Education 5-year program. "A tougher program means better teachers." Lee co-authored a mathematics textbook series published by Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company that was used by 70% of the schools in the U.S. and also in many foreign countries. He continued to support KU School of Education students through his Mathematics Education Scholarship and The Lelon Capps Lecture Series which was initiated in 2018 by former students. This lecture series is supported by a fund established through KU Endowment and is hosted by the Department of Curriculum & Teaching, with support from the School of Education and Department of Mathematics. These lectures honoring Professor Capps, is to bring nationally recognized speakers in Mathematics to KU. His mantra for math education was "Language connections help students acquire mathematics literacy."

He was a humble man of integrity and many accomplishments, and will be remembered for his devotion to family, and to the improvement of mathematics education for children around the world.

Lee is survived by his wife, Lois; children, Karlin Capps and Kandis (Timothy) Taylor; grandchildren, Emily (William) Moorkamp, Kristiana Capps, Laura (Philip) Makarewicz, and Shirin (David) Gulledge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Lenora Capps; brothers, Willis, Ambrose, and Dean (Bonnie) Capps; and a sister, Evangeline (Mel) Butzman.

The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Lelon & Lois Capps Mathematics Scholarship Fund at KU Endowment, and The Lelon R. Capps Lecture Series at KU Endowment, sent in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.