Deighton Leon Atkisson

Deighton Leon Atkisson, 93, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Hammond-Henry Hospital Long Term Care in Geneseo, Ill.

He was born in Woodston, Kansas, on November 18, 1930, to Styles Elmer Atkisson and Gladys Velma Jones Atkisson.

He attended 1st grade at a rural school in Graham County, where his Mother was his teacher. In grades 2-7, he attended the Wyatt Rural School in Rooks County, named after his great-grandfather, and attended 8th grade in Woodston, where his Mother was his teacher again. He moved to Stockton at the end of his freshman year and graduated from Stockton High School in 1948. He attended summer school at Fort Hays State College and taught at the Hrabe school for two years and the Maddy school for one year. Then he went back to college, was a Kappa Sigma Kappa fraternity member, and received his bachelor's degree in 1953 and his master's degree in 1955. He was a grade school teacher for 21 and a half years and Principal at Sherrard Elementary in Illinois for 14 years, retiring in 1985.

On May 29, 1955, he married Phyllis Lou Grosh at the Bowen Christian Church, Bowen, Ill. Two children were born to this union, Alyson Anne Morrison and Brian Leon Atkisson.

After retiring, he spent his summers in Illinois and winters in Florida, where he was a realtor for Century 21 and a tax consultant for H & R Block.

He was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Sun City Center, Fla., where he served as an Elder and on several other committees. He is preceded in death by his parents; Phyllis, his wife of 50 years; son Brian Leon Atkisson; brother Robert; and grandsons Alan and Tyler Morrison.

Leon leaves behind to cherish his memory a daughter Alyson (Mike) Morrison, Clive, Iowa; Grandchildren, Preston and Colton Atkisson, Geneseo, Ill., Cortney (Tyler) Fullerton, Geneseo, Ill., and Kelsey (Bert) Collin, West Des Moines, Iowa; Great-grandchildren Braydon, Shae, Skilynn, Sadie, Lawson, Shiloh, Oliver, Kinsley, and his namesake Deighton Leon; extended relatives and treasured friends.

Leon had a passion for plants and flowers, and he collected vases from all over the world.

He loved to travel and was fortunate to visit all 50 states, seven continents, and many foreign countries. He met his traveling companion, Bob, in Egypt after Phyllis died in 2005. His simple philosophy of life was 'Do good and forget about it.'

Memorials could be made to Hammond- Henry Long Term Care Garden Fund, Smile Train, or charity of your choice.