Leon D Houghton

Leon Dale Houghton, age 73, passed away peacefully at the Olathe, KS Hospice House on Sunday morning, August 17, 2025.

He was born on October 31, 1951, to Clifford and Bernice Houghton, and grew up on the family ranch south of Tipton, KS. Leon graduated from Cawker City High School in 1970, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete, serving as captain of the football, basketball and track teams in his senior year. Leon attended Hutchinson Community College where he played football, before he went on to graduate from Kansas State University in Animal Sciences and Industry in 1974. He was a proud member of Farmhouse Fraternity during his years at K-State and maintained a close bond with his fraternity brothers throughout his life.

Following graduation from KSU, Leon returned to the family homestead ranch where he worked alongside Clifford until January 1987. In 1983, Leon married Cheryl Gibson and welcomed her three children (Amy, Heidi and Will) into his life.

In early 1987, Leon, and his family moved to West Lafayette, IN where he served as the Purdue University Beef Unit herdsman and/or manager for the next 31 years, retiring in 2017. During his years in Indiana, Leon forged many close friendships, and his family grew to include eleven grandchildren, whom he loved and cherished.

In June of 2018, Leon was diagnosed with Stage-4 cancer. He moved to Olathe, KS in late 2020 to be closer to his health care professionals at KU Med, including his sister Kathy. Proper medical care provided Leon seven more years, where he spent much of his time reconnecting with old friends, and forging new friendships with nearly everyone he met. One friend recently described Leon as “a connector of people.” Leon delighted in planning and participating in reunions with his high school classmates, fraternity brothers and family.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Bernice Houghton, and grandson, Davis Cripe. His older brother, Keith, passed just three hours and 10 minutes after Leon. Survivors include daughters Amy Nitza, Heidi (Sean) Cripe; and son, Will Gibson; grandchildren, Eden, Hope and Trey Nitza, Melissa and Alysia Cripe, Caleb Gibson, Daniel and Emily Jakes, Ava Charnley, and Ellah Perry. Sisters, Kathy (Steve) Jensen, and Patsy Houghton, along with sister-in-law Debra Houghton, also survive Leon, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and a multitude of loyal friends.

Leon was dearly loved and will be missed.

Plans remain underway for memorial fund contributions. Details will be posted as soon as they are available.