Michael Charles Leaverton

Michael Charles Leaverton, 72, passed away, Friday, November 22, 2024 at his home in Quemado, New Mexico. He was born August 7, 1952 in Long Beach, California, the son of Keith Blake Leaverton and Naomi Dawn Hurd.

Michael was a mechanic and volunteer for the Quemado Fire Dept. He was a son, brother, husband, father, uncle and most of all, friend; what Michael was to those who knew him and loved him. He was also a rental yard employee, student, gas station attendant, carpenter, hot spot lookout on helicopter crew, contractor, custom welder, builder of custom cars, speed shop owner, auto mechanic, agricultural mechanic, stunt man, team roper, cowboy, horseman, guide and hunter for elk and buffalo, rock climber, jet boat speed competitor, volunteer for law enforcement and fire suppression; and extreme skier are activities where you might have met Michael. California, Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Nebraska and New Mexico are places where you might have met Michael.

Most of all, if you met Michael you know that he was a man big of stature and bigger of heart and personality. A man who made as big impression on his friends and family as the profound sense of loss that his passing has brought.

To those of us who mourn him now, we take solace in knowing he lived his life to the fullest. And for me, if the pain of mourning is the price I pay for loving him, the cost is worth it and is proportional to the joy that knowing him and loving brought to me.

He is survived by his wife, Y. Dena Leaverton, Quemado, New Mexico; son, Michael C. Leaverton, II, Texas; daughters, Sheri Lindberg, Jessica DeWitt, Jennifer Galloway, brothers, John Leaverton, Leland Leaverton, Sr., Brett Graham, sisters, Jan Dahkle, Sandy Tye and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Cathy Graham.