Gordon Ray Leighter

Gordon Ray Leighter, son of the late Frank and Viola (Jones) Leighter, was born on May 20, 1919 in Junction City, Kansas and passed away on July 8, 2011 at the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri. He was 92 years, 1 month, and 18 days of age.
Gordon grew up in the Jackson County area. He married Billie Kathryn Sneed in September 1938 in Independence, Missouri. Four children were born to this union. Gordon began his own business, Summit Machine Products, in 1955, in Kansas City. Several years later, he and Billie moved to a farm south of Mountain Grove. He also owned and operated a branch of Summit Machine in Mountain Grove.
Through the years, Gordon and Billie added land to their farm and it became known as Turkey Track Ranch. Gordon raised registered charolais cattle and enjoyed his time on the farm. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Gordon also loved designing and making jewelry, using his collections of arrowheads, rocks, and gems.
Besides his parents, Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Billie, in 2008; his two daughters: Nancy Beam and Dixie Thomas; one brother: Gene Leighter; and one sister: Norma Jean Morrison.
He is survived by his two sons: Gordon Leighter, Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Independence, Missouri, and Chester Leighter and his wife, Darlene, of Bates City, Missouri; three sisters: Alice Hilt (Sparkie), Margie Mainard, and Leslie Douglas, all of Oak Grove, Missouri; ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Visitation:
Immediately following funeral service.