LEON R. HIGHT I, 86, of Cherokee, Iowa passed away Tuesday evening, January 10, 2017 in Accura Healthcare in Cherokee, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 14th, at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cherokee. Rev. Cris Decious will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee with military rites at the graveside by L.A. Wescott Post 2253 of the V.F.W. There will be a family prayer service at 1:45 p.m. at the church on Saturday. Visitation with the family present will be on Saturday from 12 noon until 1:45 p.m. at the church. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Leon was born in the family home on March 24, 1930 at Dawson, Iowa to Leo & Eunice (Mozeney) Hight. He graduated from Jamaica High School in 1948. He graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and later a Master's Degree in History. Leon was married to Bessie Webber from Owensboro, Kentucky on December 9, 1950 at Jamaica, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army for 23 years during the Korean and Vietnam War, being stationed in Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Germany. Following his service in the Army he worked at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute as the Personnel Director for over 20 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Speculative Masonic Lodge #307 A.F. & A.M., Abu-Bekr Shrine Temple, Cherokee Shrine Club and Cherokee Flying Carpets, Toastmasters, and former Cherokee City Councilman. Leon enjoyed fishing, golfing and spending time with his family. In retirement, Leon and Bess loved spending winters in McAllen, Texas for over 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Opal Halsey and Winifred Hellman, two nephews Charles and Keith Hellman, one niece Anne Halsey, and a great grandson Zavin Dublinske.

He is survived by his wife Bessie of 66 years; three children: Deb (Mike) Samuelson of Cleghorn, Iowa; Lee (Sara) Hight of Alcester, South Dakota; Beth (Bob) James of Larrabee, Iowa; 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and one great great grandson; one sister Marie Goodwin of Marshalltown, Iowa.