Leon Eveleigh was born April 18, 1931, in Lakin, KS, to the late Lloyd and Ada Belle (Clark) Eveleigh. He passed away Thursday, August 25, 2011, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital at WaKeeney at the age of 80.


He graduated from Lakin High School.

On August 14, 1950, Leon was united in marriage to Lois Arlene Williams in the Methodist Church in Lakin. Together, they built and operated Sport Haven at Cedar Bluff Reservoir in 1962 and in 1978, built the Norton Sports Center. In earlier years, he owned theatres in Lyons and Norton. He helped to establish the Cedar Bluff Lake Association and served as an officer and was a great supporter. He also worked for Acid Engineers as a supervisor in Lakin. Arlene passed away December 27, 2000.

Leon retired in 1997 and filled his spare time with fishing, hunting, traveling, elk hunting, and yes, sometime slot machine gambling.


He leaves to mourn his passing; his children, Arlena Lavon Parker and husband, John, of Cedar Bluff, Curtis Eveleigh and wife Debra, of Norton, Patricia Cupp of Newton, NC; nine grandchildren, Scott Fisher and wife, Carla, Jason Parker and wife, Cindy, Jessica Clark and husband, Isaac, Jana Comer and husband, Brandon, Christine Thompson and husband, Brian, Nicole Vogel and husband, Darrin, Craig Eveleigh and Katrina Kunclrs, Heather Arlene Hoffman and husband, Jerry, Heath Haskell and wife, Vicki; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Young and husband, Clarence, of Lakin; a sister-in-law, Maryetta McMinn of TX; and a special friend, Corlene Mong of Ogallah.

Leon was also preceded in death by two brothers, Clyde and Floyd Eveleigh.


A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 30, 2011 in Schmitt Funeral Home. There will be no visitation.

Memorials are suggested to the Cedar Bluff Lake Association and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672