Frank Merrill Leighton

Frank Merrill Leighton, age 87, passed away at home on May 9, 2018, from congestive heart failure, with his loving wife of 33 years, Marjorie, by his side. Frank was born in Portland, ME, to James and Bertha Leighton. The family, including older siblings, John, Margaret, and Shirley, resided in Cumberland Center, ME. Frank married Bette Andriesen and they had five wonderful children together: James Leighton (Jan), David Leighton (Susan), Brian Leighton (Tammara), Dianne Leighton, and Daniel Leighton (Lori). When Frank married Marjorie, the family lovingly included her two children: son, Rick Smith (Debra); daughter, Lorraine Ogden (Robert). There are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren in the combined family. Frank enlisted in the Navy in 1948, and served in Korea as a Radar Operator on board a PB4Y2, aircraft flying under attack as "Lamp-lighters". Their Squadron assignment was to light up the area for combat troops below to show the locations of the enemy. After the Navy, Frank began a career with The Boeing Company. He became Seattle's Production Electronics Manufacturing Director and was instrumental in setting up the new Electronics Manufacturing facility in Texas. Frank enjoyed all types of sports, especially watching his Boston Red Sox. He became an avid golfer and accomplished 6 "hole-in-ones". Frank retired in 1987, and they bought a house on the Entiat River in North Central Washington. That is where his "green thumb" and love of gardening extended from vegetables and roses to becoming an apple orchardist. In 2002, they moved to East Wenatchee, WA. Frank and Marjorie enjoyed "snowbirding" in Bullhead City, AZ, and Palm Desert, CA, as well as traveling to their time-share resorts and taking cruises. Frank loved all his family and was very proud of each and every one - the love was returned. He was a strong and caring man, a "rock", a buddy and a friend to many. He was an avid reader of novels/detective mysteries and history and had a great sense of dry humor as he loved to have fun with people. He was a loving husband and father, always. God Bless him - so many wonderful memories. He is missed very, very much! A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at noon, at Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1400 S. Miller St., Wenatchee, WA, 98801. Interment will be Tuesday, June 19, 2018, promptly at 2:00 p.m., with military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, WA, 98042. Contributions to the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be greatly appreciated. Chapel of the Valley, Wenatchee, WA, is in charge of arrangements.

Frank Merrill Leighton

September 3, 1930 - May 9, 2018