Leon Emery

     Kenneth Leon Emery, 87, Deerfield, MO passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021 at his home.  Leon was born to Kenneth L. and Nettie Lee (Carpenter) Emery on January 14, 1934 in Deerfield.   

     Leon attended school in Deerfield and graduated from Nevada High School with the Class of 1951. He then attended Ft. Scott Junior College, where he played football, graduating in 1953. Leon married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou (Saathoff) on June 20, 1954. They moved to the farm in Deerfield in the spring of 1958 where he has spent his entire life.

    Beginning in 1954, Leon began working with his parents and brother in the LP gas business, a job he worked at all of his life. They added the heat and air business later and expanded the propane business. The family sold “Emery and Sons Propane” in 2000. He built Emery’s Truck Stop in 1989.

     In 1964 Leon and Jim Lawrence negotiated with the Postal Department to build the Post Office, Community Room, and the Fire Department Building.  Leon was Fire Chief for many years.

     Leon was a member of the B.P.O. #564 Elks in Nevada for 66 years. He was exalted ruler in 1967, and district deputy in 1969. Leon was a member of the Richards Masonic Lodge where he had received his 65-year pin, and also the Scottish Rite Temple of Ft. Scott, KS.

     Leon always enjoyed his annual elk hunting trips to Colorado with his grandson David and his good friends Johnny Brooks and Wally Thompson.

     He also loved duck hunting with his good friend BG Wolfe.

     Leon took pride in his pecan groves and grafted many trees over the years.

     In addition to his wife Betty, survivors include one son, Mike Emery, Deerfield, and one daughter, Kenna Clements, Deerfield; grandchildren, Aubrey Elkinton (Dusty), Moundville, David Klumpp (Joni), Deerfield, Jenny Emery, Ft. Scott, Aaron Emery, Ft. Scott; five great-grandchildren Halley Elkinton, Talya Elkinton, Caden Klumpp, Ryden Elkinton, and Sam Klumpp; one sister, Mona McDowell, Nevada; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dee Emery, and a son-in-law, Larry Clements.

     Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Pastor Bill Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Deerfield Cemetery in Deerfield. Masonic Rites will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home with visitation following until 8:00 p.m.

     Memorials are suggested in his memory to Regional Hospice-Joplin or the Parkinson Foundation c/o Ferry Funeral Home.         

  *** Those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing and are asked to wear face masks to protect themselves and others.

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