Lee Huddleston

Lee W. Huddleston, former chairman of Country Club Bank and president of the Missouri Bankers Association, died peacefully at home Nov. 5, 2009. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 6630 Nall Avenue Mission KS 66202; private interment at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas.Lee was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 28, 1919, to Thomas Alpha and Jessie Insley Huddleston of Oskaloosa, Kan. He always preferred to be thought of as a native of Oskaloosa, where he lived the quintessential small-town American boyhood. He was always proud of his hometown, and bragged about living there whenever he could.Lee graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1937, having served as president of the Student Council. He went on to the University of Kansas, where he joined the Men’s Glee Club and Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, was elected treasurer of the Men’s Student Council, and was named to Sachem senior men’s honor society. He graduated with honors from the Business School in 1941.After a brief stint at Nutrina Mills in Kansas City, Kansas, Lee returned home upon the death of his father to join the State Bank of Oskaloosa. His grandfather had founded the bank in 1887 and his father had led it through the difficult Depression years.In March of 1942, Lee entered the service, and in 1944, 1st Lt. Huddleston landed in Lecce, Italy, as a B-24 bomber pilot, flying 20 combat missions over Europe. He was awarded an Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.After the war he returned home to work in the bank. In 1948 he met a former KU classmate, Roberta Walker of Topeka, and they were married in 1950, the same year he became cashier of the Rosedale State Bank in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1953 he moved to the First National Bank of Kansas City in the correspondent bank division, calling on bankers throughout Kansas, who remained lifelong friends. In 1963 he became president of what is now the Country Club Bank on the Plaza, and after acquiring controlling interest, he helped it grow into a progressive bank. He sold his interest in 1985 to two of his favorite bankers, Byron Thompson and Bob Buckner, longtime associate and executive vice president of the bank. He retired in 1990 and truly enjoyed his retirement, playing golf, working in his yard, and trying to master the computer.In 1980 Lee was elected president of the Missouri Bankers Association, in which he was active for many years. He served on the Community Bankers Committee of the American Bankers Association and was a graduate of the Wisconsin School of Banking. A lifelong lover of barbershop harmony, he was a charter member of the Overland Stage Barbershop Chorus. He was a longtime member of Indian Hills Country Club and served on its board. He was a member of the Oskaloosa American Legion and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Oskaloosa. He especially enjoyed his memberships in the Vanguard Club and Fourth National Investors. He was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and a former member of the Oskaloosa Methodist Church.Besides his family, Oskaloosa and the bank, KU was the other great passion of Lee’s life. Ever the most loyal of Jayhawks, he served as president of the Gold Medal Club, and was a member of the Chancellors Club and the Williams Fund at KU.Lee leaves his wife of 59 years, Roberta Walker Huddleston of the home; a daughter, Mary Ann Powell, and her husband, Nick, Mission Hills; three grandchildren, David, Stephen, and Melissa Powell; a sister-in-law, Ruth O’Riley, Topeka; and a niece. The family wishes to thank Tabitha McReynolds, Vanessa Brooks, and all the caregivers from Kansas City Home Care, Inc., for their care and devotion.Lee was a true gentleman of indomitable spirit, kindness and integrity. He will be remembered fondly for his love of telling stories and jokes. Contributions in his memory may be made to Old Jefferson Town, in care of the Jefferson County Historical Society, P.O. Box 176, Oskaloosa, KS. 66066-0176, or any charity of the donor’s choosing. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. Arr: D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204. (913) 648-6224.

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