Donald Lee Leavengood

Donald Lee Leavengood was born January 21, 1939, the second of four boys born to Thomas G. and Geraldine (Wadle) Leavengood. Don spent his childhood on the farm in rural Melcher-Dallas, Iowa. 

He graduated as the valedictorian of the Melcher High School Class of 1957. After graduation, Don was employed at John Deere in Ankeny from 1957 to 1961. Don was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961 and served until 1963. After being honorably discharged, he returned to John Deere where he worked for an additional year. 

He attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College from 1964 to 1968 graduating summa cum laude with a double major in business and economics. Upon graduating, Don began working for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Later with the advent of computers, he became a computer specialist. 

Don retired in 2001 and moved to Mission, Texas. He lived out his retirement years in a senior housing development where he enjoyed bike riding and visiting with other "snowbirds" from the Midwest. 

Don was an avid genealogist and researched and compiled many family trees. He had an incredible memory and could recite history in great detail. Education was very important to Don, and he contributed financial resources to many of his great nieces and nephews to further their education. 

Family, as well as the Melcher-Dallas Community, were all very important to Don, and he rarely missed a Coal Miner's celebration. For years he made the 20-hour drive to Iowa, and when that became too much for him, he would fly from McAllen - even though he had to endure long layovers. One year his flight was delayed, and he spent the night in an airport. After spending a cold night in the air-conditioned airport, he vowed to never again wear shorts - only pants, while traveling. 

Don passed away on March 5, 2023, at the age of 84 after a brief illness. Don was proceeded in death by his father Thomas Gerald Leavengood, Sr., his mother Geraldine (Wadle) Leavengood, older brother Thomas G. Leavengood, Jr. and younger brothers, Kenneth and John William (Bill) Leavengood, and sister-in-law Linda Leavengood. 

He is survived by and will be greatly missed by nieces and nephews: Jayne Roozeboom, Rick Leavengood, Lori Gotta, Angie Borrill, Jennifer Harmeyer, David Leavengood, Lisa Creach, Gary Leavengood and Randy Leavengood. Don is also survived by many great nieces and nephews. A graveside service for Don will be announced at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Don's name to the the Melcher-Dallas Community School Student Council Fund.