Les Laffery

Les G. Laffery, age 77 of Clay Center, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the Clay County Medical Center.

He was born June 4, 1949 in Clay Center, the son of LeRoy and Inez Hope (Ellis) Laffery. He grew up in Clay Center and attended Clay Center schools.

Throughout his career, Les took on various roles to support himself and his loved ones. He was a shear operator for Simlo MFG, Hutchison Mayrath, and G/T Clay Center and Moridge Manufacturing in Moundridge. Then he fell into his niche when he hired on at the Key Mill Chicken Farm as a maintenance man. Les worked there for a few years as maintenance foremen before moving to Odessa, TX and eventually moving back to Clay Center, where he worked as a dispatcher for Clay County General Public Transportation. 

He is survived by his life partner, Carol Laffery; four sons, Drew (Karla) Laffery of Manhattan, Andrew Laffery (Theresa) of Tonganoxie, Daniel Laffery (April) of Wichita and James Laffery (Jessica) of Arlington, TX; two daughters, Mary (Michael) Ortiz of Rockford, IL and Dawn Cook (Joe) of Clay Center; son-in-law, James Everett of Wichita; three brothers, Tom Laffery of Oklahoma City, Jeff Laffery (Stephanie) of Boerne, TX and Mike Laffery of Texas; sister-in-law, Deanna Laffery of Clay Center; his uncle Bruce Laffery (Lanita) of Clay Center; 21 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild on the way.

He was preceded in death by his son, Leslie II; daughter, Daphne Everett; and his brothers, Bob and Jim Laffery.

Celebration of Life services will be on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 2:30 until 5:30, at the Clay Center Zoo with Pastor Paul Tessaro officiating. After the service, a lunch of hot dogs, cupcakes and chips will be served in memory of Les giving these to trick or treaters each Halloween. Kids can enjoy the zoo, splash pad or the park, while adults visit.