Melvin "Lefty" Leffingwell

Melvin Earl “Lefty” Leffingwell., 77, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Denver VA Medical Center.  He was born on June 9, 1933, in Farmington, Kansas to Norman & Sarah (Reinholt) Leffingwell.  He married Dorothy Ann Novinski on January 12, 1957. She preceded him in death on August 9, 2003. 

Lefty served in the US Army from 1955 to 1957. Lefty lived in Cheraw for many years until in 2006 when he lost his home to a fire and then he moved to Bennett with his daughter, Sarah. He worked for Pilsbury and Construction Companies TLM, HLM, VSL, and Valco for many years. He retired from working construction in 1998. He enjoyed shooting sports with his family and friends. He also spent time teaching gun safety and spent many hours reloading his and many others shells and bullets. Lefty also enjoyed watching his favorite sports on TV and would remember every detail when asked about a game, coach, or player. He also enjoyed reading.

Lefty is survived by his children, Marvin (Paula) Leffingwell of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Sarah (Ted) Gutierrez of Bennett, CO; Linda Leffingwell of Eads; Joyce Leffingwell of Towner, CO; Melvin (Peggy) Leffingwell of Sterling, CO; Bernadette (Justin) Wilder of Sterling, CO; two sisters, Millie Moring of Idaho and Jeanette Cox of Missouri; brother, Carl (Norma) Leffingwell of Iowa; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother, Glen; sister, Joann; and granddaughter, Nikki Hochstedler.

Graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Ft. Lyon National Cemetery in Ft. Lyon, Colorado with Military Honors by Rocky Ford Rifle Team, American Legion Post #8. Please join the family for food and fellowship during the visitation on Thursday, May 26, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. 

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the V.A. Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver VA, 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO, 80220 direct or through the funeral home.