S. Leslie “Les” Ledbetter, beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 13, 1956 to Lester and Gwynneth (Mallet) Ledbetter. He traded his earthly body for his Heavenly one at home on February 5, 2026. Though his death was unexpected, we rejoice because he had asked Jesus into his heart as a teenager which forever secured his home in Heaven.
Les and Lori (Davis) were married at First Baptist Church in Ada, Okla., on June 28, 1986. They were each other’s best friend and loved traveling together both in the U.S. and abroad. They were richly blessed with two precious daughters and two godly sons-in-law, Lindsey (Nathaniel) Kuhns and Lauren (Ian) Ledbetter White.
Les is survived by his siblings, Lynnette (John) Wickersham and Kevin (Kathy) Mailot, four nieces and nephews, several cousins, and his stepmother-in-law, Edie Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law Marilyn Davis, and father-in-law Doyle Davis.
Les graduated from Fayetteville High School, Arkansas and finished his college freshman year at the University of Arkansas before transferring to his alma mater, Oklahoma Baptist University, class of ’78.
While attending seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, Les served mainly in churches in Oklahoma, ending at First Baptist Church of Ada, where he and Lori met. After serving at FBC Ada, Les became the director of the Baptist Student Union at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla., until God called him to a totally different kind of ministry. Going back to school at the University of Oklahoma, Les earned his DDS degree and for 33 years had the privilege of caring for his patients. He loved the many different fun and serious conversations each person brought. What made his job the easiest and most enjoyable was the team of professionals who lovingly kept him on schedule and brought laughter throughout each day. He happily retired at the end of December and took his family on a fantastic trip of quality time across three countries.
One of his favorite ministries was the Southern Oklahoma Church Builders group led by Bill Jobe. He loved the time spent working on churches alongside friends and his family in Indiana, Washington, and Alaska.
He was currently serving on the Board of Trustees for OBU. He was dedicated to helping the university thrive and continue providing the quality education he and his daughters received during their time there.
Les would want anyone reading this to know that while he loved his family deeply, Jesus Christ was the most important thing in his life; because of His sacrifice on the cross to save us from our sins, we can live eternally with God if we believe in Him.
He leaves to cherish his memories a loving wife, Lori; daughters Lindsey Kuhns and husband Nathaniel and Lauren White and husband Ian; sister, Lynnette Wickersham and husband John; brother, Kevin Mailot and wife Kathy. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be at noon, February 10, 206 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with the assistance of Nathaniel Kuhns, Ian White, Justin Paul, Doug Davis, Kevin Hill and Rocky Mathis serving as pallbearers. The Median Adult 4 Men’s Sunday School Class will be the honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gideons, Box 2182 Ardmore, OK 73402 or Oklahoma Baptist University.
Condolences may be made to the funeral home online at http://www.hdouglasfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home & Crematory.