Leonard James Washington Sexton

Leonard James Washington Sexton was born at the family home near Wild Cherry, in Izard County, AK on Leap Day, 1920. He was the sixth of nine children born to Marvin and Dolly (Langston) Sexton. His family all worked together on the farm and the kids attended the one-room Thorn Hill School. Even though cash money was scarce, they always had home-grown food to eat. He married Anna Elliott in 1940, and they moved to Washington state in 1944. He worked for various orchardists, eventually purchasing his own orchards. He also worked for the brand new Alcoa plant. Their son, Larry was born in 1949, and daughter, Carol in 1957. At their home property, he built and operated the Mid-Valley Fruit Stand at Monitor (now the site of the Hot Rod Cafe). Anna passed away in 1974. He married Darlene Quigley in 1979. Our dad taught us many lessons, the first being to seek out the many opportunities that life presents to us. As a child of the Depression, Dad became the ultimate hunter- gatherer, an independent man who always knew where to go at the right time to find nature's bounty. We have great memories of going with him to hunt various game, fish for trout and salmon, and even gathering crab at low tide. He foraged for various greens, mushrooms and berries. He had mentally mapped out many of the great orchard and roadside locations for asparagus and started his early morning forays to get there just ahead of anyone else who might have had the same idea. He planted wonderful summer gardens full of corn, tomatoes, green beans and squash, always dropping off a sack of these to friends and relatives. He was a great observer who, through watching others and trialing his own ideas, mastered the skills for producing premium orchard fruit. He had a great interest in honeybees and usually tended a dozen hives. People called him to capture wild swarms, and he created new hives from those. In the fall, if he noticed ripe fruit unpicked or walnuts on the ground, he would always stop and ask permission to gather them, as it troubled him to see any food wasted. He came to know Christ in a deep and personal way, studying the Bible, and became active in the Wenatchee Valley Baptist Church. His family was always at the forefront of his mind and he prayed for them and his friends. He relished spending time with them at any opportunity. He enjoyed fishing trips, having brunch at Ivar's Salmon House, going to Mariner games, making homemade ice cream, and playing dominoes. He knew the joy of music and was talented on the guitar, mandolin and fiddle. He was a member of the Washington State Old-Time Fiddlers Association. Four-generation family musicals were always a source of pride and great fun for our dad. He and Darlene loved to go dancing at the Eagles Club, and snowmobiling with family and friends. Many people knew him for the beautiful roses he tended at home, well into his 90's. He modeled diligence by never giving up and by always giving his very best effort. This included surviving five different cancers. He participated several times in the Relay for Life Survivors' Walk, often being the oldest participant. Dad taught us all that it is a real honor to share our blessings with others. He had a tender heart for the less fortunate and never hesitated to offer his help. Most importantly, he made everyone around him feel like there was something great in them and that they truly belonged in his special circle of family and friends. For everything that he has shared of himself with us, we love him more than our words can express. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anna; an infant son, and seven siblings. Surviving are his wife, Darlene; son, Larry (Linda) Sexton of Monitor; daughter, Carol (Dwight) Goehner of Cashmere; and sister, Virena Graham of Omaha, NB; three grandchildren: Zoe Sexton, Kellie (Robert) Rankin, and Adam Smith; three great-grandchildren: Mariah and Carly Rankin, and Olivia Smith; three step-children: Randy (Rosemary) Quigley, Ron Quigley, and Sherry (Jeff) Bray, and their families. Darlene and the family wishes to thank Leonard's physicians and caregivers at Confluence Health, and especially Jayson and Bobbi Hills of Dore' Haven Adult Family Home. Their tender care of Leonard lightened our heavy hearts. There will be a viewing at Telford's Chapel of the Valley on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, February 4, 2016, with a family interment service 1:00 p.m. at Wenatchee City Cemetery, followed by a 2:00 p.m. Memorial Service at Wenatchee Valley Baptist Church, 650 Crawford Avenue, Wenatchee. Please also join us for dessert and coffee afterwards. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.

Leonard James Washington Sexton

February 29, 1920 - January 28, 2016