Kenneth "Ken" Dale Legan (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Kenneth Dale Legan 79, passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrest on Tuesday, June 2nd at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO.Kenny Legan was born in Halfway, Missouri on August 3, 1946 , the oldest son of Adolphus “Dog” Legan and June Jones Legan.He graduated from Halfway High School in 1964, where he excelled in FFA and was a member of Missouri Boy's State where he learned the basics of politics and made many good friends. Following high school, he took off on a grand adventure with two good friends for six months of working in Alaska. Once they returned, he enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Animal Science. He then enlisted in the Army in 1969 and received training in Army Food Inspection. In 1970 he was sent to Dallas, Texas, where he joined other Army Food Inspectors that insured safe food for our soldiers.On June 7th 1969, he married the love of his life, Rebecca Bodenhamer in Bolivar, Missouri. They made their home on her family's river bottom farm South of Halfway. To this union was born their son, Brock and daughter Stephanie. Together they farmed the land, raising cattle, hogs and hay.In 1981, Ken ran for the Missouri State House of Representatives during a special election, to represent the 133rd District. He went on to serve for the next 21 years representing Polk and Dallas Counties. From 1985-1989, he served as the House Minority Whip for the Republican Caucus. He also served as the Ranking Minority Member on the Budget Committee. He was the longest serving Republican in the Missouri House of Representatives. After being term limited out of the Missouri General Assembly in 2002, Ken served on the Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission from 2003 to 2004 and the Missouri State Ethics Commission from 2007-2008. During his tenure in the Missouri House, he was awarded numerous awards and accolades for his dedication to his constituents and the great state of Missouri.Ken was very active in his community. He was a member of the Halfway Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He was a member and past president of the Halfway Lions Club. He was on the board of the Polk County Farm Bureau and active with the Missouri Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Polk County Cattleman's Association as well as a long time member of the Masonic Lodge.Following retirement, Ken and Becky spent many enjoyable years riding their horses throughout the West, including Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, Wyoming, Arizona and the Ozark Mountains. They especially enjoyed 25 years of camping and trail riding with friends at Big Creek Trail Rides in Hartshorn, Missouri. They rode thru amazing scenery and met a new group of friends during these trips.He was preceded in death by his parents Adolphus and June Legan and his father and mother-in-law, Lewis and Ruth Bodenhamer. He is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Becky Legan; his son, Brock Legan and wife Tonya; daughter, Stephanie Howard and her husband Tom; grandchildren, Tyler and Kassidy Howard and Callie, Shae and Bodie Legan. He is also survived by his brother, Kyle Legan and wife Rita and their family. He relished the title of Uncle to his nieces and nephews, and he cherished the time spent with his many friends and neighbors.Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 13th at 10AM at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri, with visitation on Friday, June 12th at 5PM.Memorial contributions may be made to Reeds Cemetery, in care of Randy Voris, 4247 Highway P, Halfway, MO 65663, Halfway School Foundation Scholarship Fund in care of, Donna Gaynor, 4835 Highway H, Halfway, MO 65663 or Halfway Missionary Baptist Church, in care of Craig Westfall, 4671 Highway H, Halfway MO, 65663
Services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be held 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Burial will take place in the Reed Cemetery, Halfway, MO.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth "Ken"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth "Ken"?
Share a story where Kenneth "Ken"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth "Ken" you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth "Ken" make you smile?
