Leon Sylvester Richmond was born April 1, 1946, in Hulbert, OK, the youngest of twelve children born to Dug and Maggie (Cannon) Richmond. He grew up in the Hulbert and Lost City areas in Cherokee County, Oklahoma.

Leon met the love of his life, the former Evalon Anita "Dee" Whiteley, and they were married on June 29, 1967, in the First Baptist Church in Wagoner, Oklahoma. They were blessed with three children, Kevin, Keith and Kristi. Kevin shared a cherished memory of his dad coaching Little League baseball. The couple enjoyed a strong and dedicated marriage until Dee's passing in 2014. Leon's devotion to Dee continued after her death.

While finishing his bachelor's degree at Northeastern University in Tahlequah, OK Leon worked with his father-in-law, Frank, in Whiteley's Grocery on South McQuarrie in Wagoner. Leon and Frank are the only two people who knew the recipe for those delicious roasted barbecued chickens remembered by many people to this day.

Leon held many positions during his life; he prepared taxes and sold insurance for a time, but his primary profession before retirement was as a social worker for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

In his later years Leon enjoyed gardening and was completely devoted to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His examples of living life with strength and being true to oneself will impact them through generations to come. His loving presence will be missed greatly.

Leon departed this life on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at his home in Wagoner, Oklahoma. There is comfort in knowing that he was welcomed to his new home by his loving wife, Dee, his daughter, Kristi, and other family members.

Those who survive Leon include his two sons, Kevin Richmond and his wife, Allyson, and Brian Keith Richmond; grandchildren, Franklin Todd Richmond, Shelby Hutchens, Justin Richmond and wife, Stacy, Cody Richmond and wife, Lindsey, Kyle Richmond and wife, Jordan, Nick Richmond, McKenzie Richmond and Kobe Contreras, Garrett Blair, and Mckenna Blair; numerous great-grandchildren, including Zayden Coffin, Maddie Richmond, Piper and Paige Richmond, Brinlee and Blakely Contreras, and Kyzer, Grayson, Kaleb and Maddie Richmond; and one brother, Junior Richmond.

Family will greet friends at a Visitation on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 5-7 pm in the Chapel of Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor the life of Leon Richmond on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 10:00 am in the Chapel of Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory. The Reverend Mark Pointer will officiate.

Interment will follow at Pioneer Cemetery, Wagoner, Oklahoma, where Leon will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Dee Richmond.  Those serving as casket bearers are Brad Hall, Clint Hall, Josh Hughes, Jacob Hughes, Mike Miles, and Bart Bogle.  Those serving as honorary casket bearers are Gary Cooper, Ron Hornback, Teddy Ridenhower, Buddy Southerland, and Randy Stamps.

The family of Leon Richmond has entrusted his care and services to Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory, 417 East Cherokee Street, Wagoner, Oklahoma, 74467.  918-485-2911