Leon D. Houghton

Leon Dale Houghton, age 73, passed away peacefully at the Olathe, KS Hospice House on Sunday morning, August 17, 2025.

He was born on October 31, 1951, to Clifford and Bernice Houghton, and grew up on the family ranch south of Tipton, KS. Leon graduated from Cawker City High School in 1970, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete, serving as captain of the football, basketball and track teams in his senior year. Leon attended Hutchinson Community College where he played football, before he went on to graduate from Kansas State University in Animal Sciences and Industry in 1974. He was a proud member of Farmhouse Fraternity during his years at K-State and maintained a close bond with his fraternity brothers throughout his life.

Following graduation from KSU, Leon returned to the family homestead ranch where he worked alongside Clifford until January 1987. In 1983, Leon married Cheryl Gibson and welcomed her three children (Amy, Heidi and Will) into his life.

In early 1987, Leon, and his family moved to West Lafayette, IN where he served as the Purdue University Beef Unit herdsman and/or manager for the next 31 years, retiring in 2017. During his years in Indiana, Leon forged many close friendships, and his family grew to include eleven grandchildren, whom he loved and cherished.

In June of 2018, Leon was diagnosed with Stage-4 cancer. He moved to Olathe, KS in late 2020 to be closer to his health care professionals at KU Med, including his sister Kathy. Proper medical care provided Leon seven more years, where he spent much of his time reconnecting with old friends, and forging new friendships with nearly everyone he met. One friend recently described Leon as “a connector of people.” Leon delighted in planning and participating in reunions with his high school classmates, fraternity brothers and family.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Bernice Houghton, and grandson, Davis Cripe. His older brother, Keith, passed just three hours and 10 minutes after Leon. Survivors include daughters Amy Nitza, Heidi (Sean) Cripe; and son, Will Gibson; grandchildren, Eden, Hope and Trey Nitza, Melissa and Alysia Cripe, Caleb Gibson, Daniel and Emily Jakes, Ava Charnley, and Ellah Perry. Sisters, Kathy (Steve) Jensen, and Patsy Houghton, along with sister-in-law Debra Houghton, also survive Leon, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and a multitude of loyal friends.

Leon was dearly loved and will be missed.

Memorial Fund Information

Sadly, Leon lost two young members of his family in recent years. Over the past several months, he was determined to find a way to honor each boy. Additionally, Leon has several female friends who had, or who are currently struggling with breast cancer. In honor of each of these women, Leon wanted to help fund breast cancer research. Leon’s memorial fund designations are perfect examples of his caring for, and generosity toward others. May he rest in peace and understand how much good he did in this world.

Davis Allen Cripe (2001-2017)

Grandson, Davis, was a normal, active teenager when he went into cardiac arrest from consuming an energy drink. A huge part of his life was devoted to music. In honor of Davis, his high school in Chapin, SC named a room after him called the DAC Music Room. The room is heavily used by students and could always use funding for facility maintenance and/or replacement instruments.

Write check to: Spring Hill High School Memo line: DAC Music Room Project - In honor of Davis Cripe

Zachary Ryan Goodman (2012-2016)

Grand-nephew, Zachary, was diagnosed with leukemia and showed amazing resilience throughout his treatment. Blood Cancer United (formerly known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) is the current leader in blood disease research.

• Write check to: Blood Cancer United
• Memo line: Pediatric Leukemia Research - In honor of Zachary Goodman
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• Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Write check to: Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Memo line: In memory of Leon Houghton
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• Please send all donations to:
• Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home
• 14275 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062
• Donation checks will be sorted and sent to
• the correct memorial fund locations.