Les Hobbs

Lesley Eugene “Les” Hobbs was born July 31, 1963 in Ransom, Kansas, son of Joseph and Alice (Ummel) Hobbs.  He grew up in McPherson graduating from McPherson High School with the Class of 1981. 

As soon as he turned 18, Les joined the Army National Guard, proudly serving his country for the next 9 years.  During this time, he was a demolition specialist. After his honorable discharge he worked for IBP in Nebraska. 

On March 22, 1997, Les was united in marriage with Carlene Gettle in Harper, Kansas.  This union blessed Carlene’s two children, Bubba and Kaisha, with the best dad they could have ever asked for.  They made their home in Anthony, where Les purchased Common Cookin’ Café and Catering on Valentines Day for Carlene and her sister, Pam, to fulfill their dreams of sharing their cooking talents with the community. Les worked at Farrar Corporation in Norwich for nearly two decades and also enjoyed his side job as the maintenance man at Penn Place Apartments in Anthony.  

Les was a simple man.  He lived, worked, and loved his family. During family vacations, Les instantly became the third kid for Carlene, a totally different Les, soaking up all the fun he could. One favorite tradition was the NHRA Drag Racing that he enjoyed with his son, brother-in-law, and nephews.  

On July 18, 2026, Les passed away while working at Farrar Corporation in Norwich at the age of 62.  He was preceded in death his mom, Alice (Ummel) Hobbs; three infant sisters; and his sister-in-law Pam Hoover.  

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Carlene of Anthony; his children:  Bubba Morton and wife, Erin of Littleton, CO and Kaisha Reber and husband, Greg of Phenix City, AL; grandchildren:  Jaibin, Hudsyn, and Cohan Reber, all of Phenix City, AL; father, Joe Hobbs of Park City, KS; stepmother, Nancy Phillips of McPherson; siblings: Brenda Hobbs of Fresno, CA, Patricia Eilert of McPherson, KS, Roberts Hobbs of McPherson, Christina Hobbs of Kansas City, KS, and Jimmie Hobbs of Halstead, KS; brother-in-law, Linton Hoover; and several nieces and nephews; and a host of many friends.   

Celebration of Life was held 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Les may be made payable to the Les Hobbs Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.  The memorials will be used to purchase a bench in memory of Les at Penn Place Apartments.