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Leland Graves III, MD

June 9, 1959 - December 12, 2024

 

Leland Graves III, MD died on December 12th, 2024 at KU Medical Center after a brief illness.

 

He was born on June 9th, 1959 to Leland Graves, Jr. and Marion Graves in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

Following his graduation from Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, MO, he attended UMKC School of Medicine in Kansas City, MO, graduating in 1983.  He then completed an internal medicine residency, followed by a fellowship in endocrinology at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

 

At the time of his death, he was a Professor of Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he was Chief of Staff and also served on the Board of Directors for the University of Kansas Health System. Additionally, he was Director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Pharmacology within the Department of Internal Medicine. For 18 years he served as the director of the Endocrinology Fellowship Program, and was a sought-after mentor to many physicians. He was a master clinician who loved patient care, teaching, and research.  He was blessed with wonderful friendships with many colleagues at KU Med.

 

Leland was a loving and adored husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He met his wife, Beverly, at UMKC School of Medicine where they were classmates. They were married in 1981. They were blessed with 3 children, and 5 grandchildren.

 

In his free time, he enjoyed music: he was a gifted pianist and played guitar and other instruments, acquiring many dear friends in this endeavor. He was a man of faith, and for many years he led musical worship at St Anne’s Episcopal Church in Lee’s Summit, MO. He treasured time spent with family, and adored his 5 grandchildren to whom he was “Papa.”  He loved to travel. He also enjoyed working on the lawn, where he fought a perpetual battle with “exterior illumination,” the backyard lighting.

 

Leland was predeceased by his parents, Leland Graves, Jr., and Marion Graves, and a sister, Brenda. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, children Ian Graves, PhD (Amanda), Emma Graves DPT, and Jonah Graves, MD (Christina) and his five grandchildren: Ira, Rachel, Daphne, Teddy, and Joseph. He is also survived by a sister Judy Graves (Rich Dann) and brother Bryan Graves (Vonda) as well as other relatives and dear friends.

 

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS on Saturday January 4th at 1pm.

 

The family is forever grateful for the highly skilled and compassionate care he (and they) received at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to KU Endowment for the benefit of the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, or to Dignity: Liberia (www.dignityliberia.org), or to UMKC School of Medicine.

Send Condolences
Additional Service:
Celebration of Life
Location:
Village Presbyterian Church
Address:
6641 Mission Rd.
City:
Prairie Village
State:
Kansas
Zip Code:
66208
Date of Service:
Jan 04, 2025
Time of Service:
1:00 pm
Additional Information:
No Additional Information Added
Google Map:
Click Here to see Location on Map

Condolences

Darci Deskin Dec 20, 2024

My sincerest condolences to the family of Dr. Graves. Thinking of you all during this time. I worked with him at KUMC.

Anna Fisk Dec 20, 2024

coworker ,Missouri

I am very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Dr. Graves. He always impressed me with his ability to make you feel comfortable talking to him even when he was very busy. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know him.

Mariana Garcia-Touza MD Dec 20, 2024

Professional ( Chief Endocrinology Section at Kansas City VA ,Kansas City ,Kansas

I’m shocked by this news. I’m so very sorry for your loss. It had been a pleasure getting to know and work with Dr Graves during the last six years. He was an excellent clinician, teacher and person and this is a great lost.

Jennifer Saddler Dec 20, 2024

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Dr. Graves in the admin office. He was so nice, and I always called him my coke zero buddy. I will miss him dearly.

Lynn Ward Dec 20, 2024

Dear Friend ,Philadelphia ,Pennsylvania

I never got to meet Lee, but he sounds amazing and married to an amazing woman. Beverly and your family are forever in my prayers. It sounds like the Graves children and grandchildren were so Blessed to have Lee and Beverly for parents. Beverly, you have my number, and I will always be there for you. GOD has him now and you have an angel by your side all day every day! The holidays will be hard, but everyone embrace Beverly because she will need help walking this journey. Love & Prayers always.

Samuel L Worsham Dec 20, 2024

Former resident and endocrinology fellow ,West Lafayette ,Indiana

Sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Graves. With as much of a Renaissance man as he was he will be remembered for many things. He was a singular teacher and clinician. I have always said that Dr. Graves could make a doorknob excited about endocrinology. His example and inspiration was one of the major factors for my choosing to become an endocrinologist. I will forever be indebted to him for his inspiration in encouraging me to pursue Endocrinology as a career. I still tell stories and quote him to my patients to this day. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our prayers s are with you all!

Teresa Sciortino Dec 20, 2024

Former endocrinology fellow ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Please accept my sincerest condolences to the family of Dr. Graves. I am a recent graduate of the endocrinology fellowship. I cannot express how pivotal Dr Graves was as a mentor and teacher for me throughout my time at KU. I am so appreciative for the time I got to spend with and learn from him. His passion for endocrinology was infectious and in my mind he is the epitome of a great clinician and teacher and something to strive for.

Scott & Merideth Nitzel Dec 21, 2024

He was a physician mentor ,Stilwell ,Kansas

Dear family of Dr Graves: Our deepest sympathies go out to you at this time. We pray for the peace found in the loving arms of Christ. Dr Graves was a wonderful teacher and mentor of whom we were blessed to have walked alongside for a time.

Theresa Lintzenich (Lacey) Dec 21, 2024

Former neighbor in Weldon Spring Heights ,st charles ,Missouri

What a shock! I am so sorry for your loss! What a legacy he has left to this world. May you have peace that only Our heavenly Father can give.

Aiman Zafar Dec 22, 2024

Endocrine Colleague ,Overland Park ,Kansas

I want to extend my condolences to Dr. Graves' family. Dr. Graves was a revered doctor and teacher, as well as the most passionate, competent, and remarkable physician I have ever known. His passing has left a profound sense of loss—a gap that cannot be filled. I find myself missing him greatly. He will always be remembered in our hearts.

Brodi Sabiston Dec 23, 2024

Patient ,Eugene ,Oregon

As a type 1 diabetic for 20 years, it’s been extremely difficult to find a physician let alone person, who was as empathetic, patient, and caring as Dr. Graves. After moving out of Kansas City in 2020 I would continuously talk to others about how Dr. Graves was the best Endo that I had ever had. He was an exception leader, doctor, and person. He will be greatly missed, but has certainly left the KU community and endocrine department better than when he had arrived.

Kenneth and Carlonda Williams Dec 24, 2024

Neighbors ,St. Louis ,Missouri

I think the loved ones who go ahead of us are waiting for us in a place where every moment is happy and peaceful and full of sweetness. They are waiting to tell us a story, one with the happiest ending of all…and what seems to us to be the ending is really only the beginning of an eternity of perfect joy. As you turn the pages of each tomorrow, may you be comforted by the way the story continues; each day a new chapter of beautiful memories and peaceful feelings. With all our hearts, Ken and Carlonda Williams May the Grace of our Lord be with you now and forever