Leonard Melton Stephen
1947 - 2024
Leonard Melton Stephen, of Atwood, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at HaysMed Center, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
He was born in Stockton on August 26, 1947, to Lewis Harold and Glennys Faye (Reed) Stephen.
Leonard lived on the Stephen farmstead along Bow Creek, eight miles north and two miles west of Stockton. He was the seventh sibling of eight born to this marriage.
Leonard had a gentle voice and a kind heart. He cherished his family, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Leonard attended schools in Stockton, Hoxie, Colby, and Gem. He graduated from Gem High School in 1966.
He enlisted in the US Army in November 1967. He served two tours of combat in Vietnam for 18 months. Then he went to Germany for ten months. He was honorably discharged in November 1970. Leonard's Medals included the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal W/60 Device, EXP M-16, and MM M-14. Leonard was very proud to be a military veteran of the US Army.
He was a lifelong member of VFW Post 8873 and the American Legion in Stockton.
Leonard moved to Milford, New Hampshire, in 1973. He graduated from Electronics school in New Hampshire and later worked for Raytheon for 17 years. Leonard moved back to Colby in 1991. He worked at the Colby Grain Station and drove a semi-delivery truck for Old Home Bakery. He then moved to Atwood in 2001, where he resided.
He is survived by his sister, Lana (Larry) Odle, of Stockton; brother-in-law, Don Alexander, of Carmichael, Calif.; sister-in-law, Barbara Stephen, of Phillipsburg; aunt, Arlene (Jorgenson) Wolfe, of Hays; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Stephen and Glennys (Stephen) Collins; brothers Lawrence, LeRoy, and Lewis Stephen; and sisters Loretta Meyer, Lucille Brush, and Lorene Alexander.
A Funeral Service was held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Stockton. Burial with military honors followed the service at Stockton Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to VFW, Post 8873, and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com
