S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

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Another giant has fallen: Darrell H. Leason, 87, passed away September 30, 2016.  In the last few years, Wichita has seen the passing of George Ablah, Lindy Andeel, Michael Weigand, Jack Hunt, and now Darrell Leason.  It is not a surprise that the ranks of the commercial real estate brokerage business in Wichita have been decimated by the loss of these great men, not the least of whom is Darrell Leason, winner of the 2015 Kansas CCIM/Wichita State University Lifetime Achievement Award.  Darrell marks the end of an era of creative real estate deal makers throughout the Wichita area.

Darrell began his career as a ladies’ shoe salesman at Baker Shoes on East Douglas.  He left the shoe business and went to work for Colby Sandlian in the real estate business and became a full-time commercial real estate salesperson with Sandlian Realty.  He never looked back.  From single-family homes to entire subdivisions, Darrell worked his magic from one side of Wichita to the other.  Shopping centers, office buildings, vacant land, and multifamily properties were all in his sales portfolio.  Darrell was active in the marketplace from 1950–2016 (66 years).  He passed away with an active portfolio of listings.

Darrell received the Wichita Business Journal’s Commercial Transaction of the Year award for 2015 for his brokerage of the Law Company Riverview Plaza building.  In 2015, Darrell was awarded the Kansas CCIM/Wichita State University Lifetime Achievement Award for Commercial Real Estate.  Darrell was not motivated by awards but always sought to create “win/win” transactions.

He is well remembered by “yabba dabba doo,” his war cry, at Shocker basketball games.  An early founding member of the Candle Club, Darrell will long be remembered for always having good things to say about everyone and not ever engaging in character assassination.

During his later years, Darrell became a Counselor member of the Society of Exchange Counselors and served as a mentor to a whole generation of Wichita real estate salespersons and brokers.