LaMont Ted Gleason

LaMont (Monty) Ted Gleason born on May 1, 1945, in Winfield, KS, to the Reverend Dean and Evelyn Gleason passed away surrounded by his family on March 18, 2025, after a lengthy illness. Monty's life was shaped by his upbringing as the son of a Methodist minister. He lived in exotic places like Winfield, Marion, and Plainville, KS, and was heartbroken when his father was reassigned after his junior year of high school. He left Plainville behind and relocated to Wichita for his senior year at West High. He brought with him from Plainville football, the then unusual skill of centering the ball back on a single-wing offense a new strategy being introduced that year at West by iconic high school coach, Ed Kriwiel. Being a part of the team that year made all the difference in Monty's life. While Monty was a student at Friends University, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the Signal Corps. He deployed to South Korea from 1968-70. His love of communications affected his interests and hobbies for the rest of his life, including founding and serving in media ministries at his church. He married Connie Ross in 1974 and together they welcomed 2 children, Whitney and Ryan. He later married Val Kilgore Hicks in 1989 and joined together with her children Doug and Stephanie. Monty dedicated over 30 years of exceptional service to Boeing in Program Planning and Control. He was the saddest man in the world on the day they closed the Wichita plant. Monty was completely contented at home with his family and enjoyed woodworking and volunteering at their church. When he wasn't home, he enjoyed long-distance cyclingcompleting Bike Across Kansas multiple times. He often left on his bike at dawn and returned at dusk. Monty was a consummate family man. He is survived by his wife, Vallerie Gleason, his children Whitney Snow (Michael), Ryan Gleason (Courtney), Doug Hicks (Jessica), Stephanie Thompson (Troy), his grandchildren Zack, Gabriel, and Hailey Snow, Charlee Barnett-Gleason, Daniel and Cillian Hicks, and Dylan Thompson, sister Anita Cyrier (Larry), Schyler Gleason (Julie), and Brother-in-Law, Reid Miller, and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Dean and Evelyn Gleason, and his sisters, Deana Gleason and Garnet Miller. The family wishes to extend special thanks to those who supported Monty in his medical journey including the NMC Health Emergency Department, Surgical Unit and CCU, Respiratory Care, Imaging, Pharmacy, and Nursing Services. In addition, we've appreciated the support of Drs. Robert Roeser, Ryan Hall, Mark O. Duverseau, John McEachern, Rob Dillard, and Hossein Amiraniall of Newton. The staff of Moxley Family Dentistry Wichita Perio and Dr. Hagan. And finally, the noon cardiac rehab group at the Newton YMCA. Services will be held at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church 1600 W. 27th Street North, Wichita, KS 67204 on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m. Committal service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are welcome to Media Ministries at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.