Obituary of Leonard Layton

Leonard Levi Layton passed from this life on Monday, July 14, 2014 at Licking Park Manor at the age of 83. Leonard was born the third son of six children to Daniel Marmaduke and Lola Violet (Richardson) Layton on February 21, 1931 in Boswell, Arkansas. Leonard grew up in Izard County, Arkansas with his family and extended family ... causing mischief, creatively doing his chores, working in cotton fields, hunting and fishing all along the White River, and playing basketball and baseball. One of his many fond memories of childhood ball was playing against Preacher Roe in Salem, Arkansas. Leonard threw out his arm, while Preacher Roe made it to the majors. Leonard's love for ball extended to his grandchildren-he adored watching them play ball and attended every game he was able to. After graduating from Calico Rock High School in 1952, Leonard joined the Army for two years, mostly spent in Korea as a ground medic and ambulance driver in the Korean War. While in Korea, Leonard accepted Christ as his Savior. He began attending church after many years away, at First Baptist in Licking after the birth of his last grandson. Following his honorable discharge as an Army Corporal, Leonard made his home in St. Louis for 20 years working with Lock Joint Pipe Company, Grantwood Alilico Road Construction, Flex-o-line Manufacturing, and Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth Company. In 1957, he married Louise Womble; they had one son and two daughters. Louise died in 1973. Leonard moved to Licking in the early 70's and worked at Rawlings Sporting Goods until a stroke rendered him disabled in 1981. On September 14,1974, Leonard married Genie Little, and they had one daughter. Genie cared for Leonard through his illnesses for most of their married life, two months short of 40 years. After his stroke, Leonard stayed busy with farming, cattle, horses, hunting, fishing, visiting Arkansas, and grandchildren. Leonard was a member of the VFW, coached toss-ball, made sorghum molasses, and helped to track the White River Trace Trail-of-Tears through Texas County. He enjoyed traveling to Arkansas as often as he could, but everywhere else only deserved one look-if he saw it, he didn't need to see it again. As a dad and grandpa, he taught respect, hard-work, Leonard riggin' everything with bailing twine, preparedness, commitment, uh ... punctuality ... (always be 15 minutes early-the grandkids still have hope), storytelling, doin' right, strength, love, heart, and humor. To say he adored his grandchildren is an understatement... he loved playing with them, teaching them his ornery ways, and watching every ball game and attending every event he could. Always supportive, always encouraging, always loving. Through the years, through the heart attacks, through the dementia, through the Parkinson's, through the Alzheimer's ... the one way to see a sparkle in his eyes was when he saw his grandchildren. Papaw was so special, so loved, and will be so missed. Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and twin sisters, Nila Florene Claxton and Ila Lorene Byram. Leonard is survived by his wife, Genie; his 4 children: Mike and Cheryl Layton of Sedalia, Debbie and Vearl Stilley of Norwood, Cendy and Jim Carson of Sedalia, and Stacie and Calem Hutsell of Licking; 10 grandchildren: Michael and Lisa Layton, Daniel and Katelynn Layton, Natasha and Lance Kinder, LeAnn Stilley, Alex Harrell, Andrew Harrell, Cainan Hutsell, Cadrian Hutsell, Sadie Hutsell, and Sofie Hutsell; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers: Emil Layton of Kansas City, KS, Arthur Layton of Pocahontas, AR, and Remil Layton of Mountain Home, AR; 2 brothers-in-law: Jack Claxton of Fox, AR and Deloyd Byram of Kansas City, KS; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.