Gerald W. Leighton, 86

Gerald W. Leighton, 86, of Ronan, passed away peacefully at St. Luke Community Hospital on Oct. 28, 2009. He was born March 16, 1923, in Wibaux and at the age of six and a half months arrived at Ravalli and then made Ronan his home for 86 years. He was drafted into the service on March 3, 1943, and was a staff sergeant of the F Company, 143rd Infantry, 2nd Battalion, 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. He was wounded twice and received the Silver Star, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the combat infantry badge and a good conduct metal. Gerald worked at the Ronan State Bank as a janitor prior to going into the service, and after World War II he resumed working at the bank. He attended the University of Montana and graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle. Over 68 years, he continued to work his way up from cashier to executive vice president and a member of the board of directors. Gerald was very active in the community, serving for both the City Council and the Lake County Airport board as clerk; a board member for the Round Butte Water Company; and local president and state treasurer for Saddle Club. The 777 Ranch and raising Angus cattle kept him busy until his retirement several years ago due to ill health. Gerald enjoyed the great outdoors. The yearly trips into the Bob Marshall to hunt, fish, camp and just explore the mountains on horseback gave him much pleasure. It was a mighty happy (and surprising) day when the Leighton Road sign, named after him, went up and he had great pride in pointing it out. Gerald was predeceased by son, Jimmy; parents RZ and Loula; brother, Tip; and sisters, Marie, Louella and Anita. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanne; son, Dennis, and Heather, of Seattle; daughter, Nicola, and Tim, of Kalispell; brother, Alvia, and Florence, of Kalispell; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. We are thankful for the years that we had with him and he will be greatly missed. Services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, with viewings today from 3 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home. Military graveside services will be at 1 p.m. at the Ronan Cemetery, with a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center and a reception immediately following. The family suggests memorials be made to the Ronan VFW or Ronan Senior Citizens.