Laynard Leland Shearer, at the age of 85, passed away on July 3, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas, where he resided for the past 14 years. Laynard was born near Almena, Kansas on May 14, 1941, the son of Leslie and Velma (Douk) Shearer. He grew into manhood in rural Norton County, Kansas attending Almena Grade School, Dellvale Grade School and graduated from Lenora Rural High School with the Class of 1959. He holds degrees from Barton County Community College and Northwestern University Traffic Institute.
Lanny, as he was known to his friends, joined the U.S. Army in 1960 and served three years as a Military Policeman in Japan. After completing his military service, he joined the Norton, Kansas Police Department. After one year, he was accepted as a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol. He retired after a 27-year career as the Patrol’s Assistant Superintendent with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served the last year of his career as Interim Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
He is survived by his wife Cynthia, a brother Gary Shearer (Rovella), and a sister Bernita (Willis) Daniels, both of Norton, Kansas, several nephews and nieces and many friends and relatives.
He was predeceased by his parents, Leslie & Velma Douk Shearer, his wife of 40 years, Kay (Diehl) Shearer, and his brother and wife, Keiford & Lucille Shearer.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 P.M. until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.