Claude "Leon" Holton, 72, was born in Morrisville, Missouri September 30, 1944 to Albert and Genevieve Holton. Leon passed away at Mercy Hospital in Springfield on Friday, November 25 after a sudden illness. Leon's biggest passion in life was his farm and family.

He graduated from Central High School in Springfield, MO in 1962 and married his high school sweetheart Vicki Wright in September of 1962 and shared 54 years together. To this union was born 3 children.
Leon worked for local farmers as a teenager. In November of 1966, he went to work for Harry Cooper Supply in the city delivery department. In his 41 years with the company he worked his way up to inside electrical sales before retiring in 2007. He and Vicki bought their first farm in 1968 in Ash Grove, Missouri later adding 2 more farms on which they still reside today.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Dennis, paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, father-in-law John T. Wright, and many other aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by wife Vicki Holton of Everton, MO, a daughter Lisa Matthews (Larry) of Miller, MO, 2 sons Larry Holton (Tina) of Ash Grove, MO and Donald Holton (Jessica) of Miller, MO. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren Brandy Totten (Bud) of Mt. Vernon, MO, John David Matthews (Casey) of Stotts City, MO, Travis Holton (Chelsea Sleme) of Willard, MO, Taylor Holton (Dorian Miller) of Willard, MO, Morgan Holton of Miller, MO and Natalie Holton of Miller, MO. Two step-grandsons Travis Jackson of Springfield, MO and Caleb Hinz of Joplin, MO. He is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren and his mother-in-law Goldie Wright of Springfield, MO and numerous other family members and friends.

Services are under the direction of Klingner-Cope with visitation to be held Monday, November 28th from 6-8 p.m. at White Chapel, 5234 W. Hwy EE, Springfield, MO, with services on Tuesday, November 29th at 2 p.m., after which he will be laid to rest in White Chapel Cemetery.