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Lee Roy Layton of Prospect died peacefully and went home to be with his Lord at the age of 77 on Wednesday, November 15, 2006. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for many years, but was able to remain at home, even after becoming bedridden three and a half years ago, due to the loving care of his wife, Cynthia.
Lee Roy was born in Rosemont, WV, on February 5, 1929. He was one of 13 children raised by Thomas and Harriet Layton. He dropped out of high school, anxious to enlist in the Army before the conclusion of WWII, and served in Occupied Japan for 18 months. Lee Roy returned to the US and to Mount Morris (PA) High School, where his quickness and agility allowed him to excel as a football halfback. He followed an older brother to Ohio in search of better employment opportunities, and trained as a welder. During 38 years of employment with the Marion Power Shovel, his high degree of skill was recognized by his assignment as a set-up welder, in which he prepared welding jobs for completion by others. He represented and negotiated for the interests of his co-workers as an AFL-CIO Committeeman. Lee Roy was raised to work and put in far more than an 8 hour shift daily. He and Cynthia maintained a large vegetable garden and fruit trees, and raised rabbits and bees. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and rode a motorcycle until a knee injury, incurred during an attempted jump, convinced him it was a younger man's sport. He was an active community volunteer. He coached Little League baseball, and served as a member of the Town Council. Prospect's third traffic light, at North Street and N. Elm Street, was erected in large part due to Lee Roy's concern for the safety of children walking between the elementary school and the dairy bar. As a member of the Prospect Tree Committee, Lee Roy helped replace many of the majestic, but aging, maples with the current Bradford pear trees that currently line the village streets. The present health and vigor of the trees are due in part to his constant watering and tending during their early years. Lee Roy accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior on Mother's Day, 1970. He attended Emmanuel Baptist Church from 1964 to 1979, where he was an usher and drove a church bus. For several years he and Cynthia translated the church services for deaf members in American Sign Language. He also volunteered his sign language skills to facilitate deaf persons' communications with local government agencies. Since 1979 he had been a member of Cornerstone Alliance Church, where he and Cynthia were active in the Awana Children's Bible Club for many years. Lee Roy married Cynthia (Thornbury) in 1963. He was blessed with raising six children: Douglas of Columbus and Teresa (Johnny Ray) LeMaster of Hilliard, Cynthia (Stuart) Karon of Harvard, MA, Cheryl Kimmel of Durham, NC, and Rebecca (Fred) Barnett of Hendersonville, TN, and John (Lisa) of Waldo. Lee Roy and Cynthia have 13 grandchildren: Jeremy, Jamie, Devin, Rachelle, Alexis, Travis, Rose, Grace, Jeanelle, Eve, Madalyn, Victoria and Carter; and four great-grandchildren: Alex, Caleb, Madison and Morgan. Lee Roy was preceded in death by brothers and sisters Bill, Mary, Archie and Dorothy. He is survived by brothers and sisters Lovell (Jim), Lillian, John (Wanda), Perry (Pat), Shirley, Chuck (Mary), Dale (Jewell) and Roxie (Dave). His in-laws, Nora and Truman Dent, reside in Cardington. Family members and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Gehm-Ballinger Funeral Home, Prospect on Sunday from 2 to 5 PM. A celebration of Lee Roy's life will be held Monday, November 20 at 11:00 AM in the Cornerstone Alliance Church, 2010 Marion Marysville Road, Marion with Pastor Sam Wolfe officiating. Interment will follow in Prospect Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cornerstone Alliance Church, the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org), or a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.ballingerfuneralhome.com. Directions to Prospect Cemetery Florist Login
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