Dr. Leland Dean Crapson, 90, of Tarkio, Missouri passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011 at the Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Center in Tarkio. Leland was born September 20, 1920 in Erie, Kansas, to Frederick Ralph Crapson and Edith (Whitworth) Crapson.

Preceding Leland in death were his wife, Connie; his brother James; and his parents. Surviving are one daughter, Kathryn Francis, Vail, Iowa; three sons, the Reverend James Crapson, College Springs, Iowa, the Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Crafton, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Paul T. Crafton, Seattle, Washington; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

He entered the United States Army in July 1942 and served as company clerk to a medical unit in the South Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1946. Leland received a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Pittsburg State Teacher’s College in Pittsburg, Kansas; a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas in Lawrence; and Master’s and Doctor’s degrees in music education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He was awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters by Tarkio College.

In a career that spanned more than 50 years he taught at various schools in Kansas, where he served as president of the Southeast District of the Kansas Music Educators. From 1964 to 1991 he was professor of music at Tarkio College. He also served as Academic Dean and Registrar of the college from 1982 to 1991. Following the closing of the college he was on the faculty of the Tarkio Academy for ten years.

He helped develop the Mule Barn Theatre and directed the orchestra for the Theatre’s first production, “South Pacific”, in 1967. Most recently he had worked with the Mule Barn Theatre Guild and was instrumental in bringing the Missoula Children’s Theater to Tarkio each summer. Dr. Crapson served as Minister of Music in various churches from 1952 to 2007. He also served as Lay Leader. As an educator and church choir director he left a legacy of inspiration and encouragement to several generations of students and choir members, many of whom credited him with setting the direction of their careers. His bands consistently won awards. He was an avid gardener, and he and his wife Connie turned their yard into a showpiece of landscaping. He also enjoyed refinishing furniture and traveling.

Memorial Service:
3:00 PM, Sunday, July 3, 2011, Tarkio Presbyterian Church, Tarkio.
A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at East Hills Cemetery,
Erie, Kansas.
The family will receive friends in the church basement at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, following the memorial service.
Memorials: Mule Barn Theatre Guild, Tarkio.
Online Condolences and Obituaries at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.