1940 - 2025
Leonard Carl Halverson, Jr., 84, of Andover, Kansas, passed away Sunday night, May 4, 2025, at his home.
Born May 14, 1940, in Oak Park, Illinois, he was the son of Leonard Carl, Sr. and Lora (Ross) Halverson. As the son of a career military man, he was raised and educated all over the world including Germany, Mississippi, and Massachusetts. He attended high school in East Falmouth, graduating in 1958. After school he joined Oceanographic with his friend Barry Pease. He sailed on the Atlantis, where he met Alden Cook; they sailed primarily in the Mediterranean, South America, and Bermuda.
In 1962, Leonard joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country. He was stationed at Itazuke Air Force Base in Japan, and later McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. Following his honorable discharge, he remained in Wichita where he attended a trade school to become an electrician.
Leonard was united in marriage to Vicki Pennington on August 17, 1973, at the chapel in Cowtown in Wichita. The couple made their home in Andover, where they enjoyed homesteading. Leonard began his career as an electrician at Graf Electric, where he began as an apprentice, and remained for over 20 years. He then went to work for Boeing, until retiring in 2005. He later returned to work for Spirit, and retired one final time in 2010.
He was a member of the American Legion, Faith Baptist Church, and later Sunnyside Baptist Church. He loved adventures. He enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica, tinkering with cars and small engines, fishing, flying radio airplanes, and rototilling Vicki’s garden. Leonard also enjoyed his 1968 Pontiac FireBird and his 1937 Chevrolet Coupe.
Leonard’s family includes his wife Vicki Halverson of Andover; his sons, Cliff Halverson and wife, Heather of Arkansas City; David Halverson and wife Toni of Rose Hill; his daughters, Jennifer Turpin and husband, Curtis of Winfield; Yvonne Allen and husband, Gary of Haven; his grandchildren, Ashley Halverson, Jami Bartlett, Audrianna Turpin, Chet Turpin, Austen Halverson, Kaitlyn Halverson, Lakin Wilson, Sydney Roeder, Shayla Roeder, Logan Halverson, Cheyenne Strickland; and his eight great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Leonard was preceded in death by a son Johnny Halverson, a sister Judy Does, and two grandsons Samuel Lawrence Turpin and Chase Solomon Drake Turpin.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Winfield. Interment will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled on Thursday evening at Miles Funeral Service from 4 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors that evening.
A memorial has been established in Leonard’s name for Cowley County 4-H Shooting Club. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.
