Wilburn “Leon” Stutesmun January 5, 1952 - November 22, 2024

Wilburn Leon Stutesmun, age 72 of Ozark, Missouri passed away Friday, November 22, 2024 with his loving wife and family by his side. Leon was born January 5, 1952 the son of Harold and Norma (Penniman) Stutesmun. He was united in marriage to Kathie Mills on February 3, 1973.

Leon lived in Christian County all of his life. He worked for the Ozark School System as a bus mechanic for 25 years and retired in 2008. It would be nothing to be out and about in Ozark and kids would holler at Leon to tell him hello. He was on the Ozark volunteer fire department for many years and retired in 1999. The time on the department was spent keeping the trucks running and help others. Leon had so many interests over his life time it would be hard to say where you could find him but you knew he would put all of his effort in it. It could be over at the drag strip racing his 59 Ford truck, building motors for people, partying, gardening, camping, hunting, gigging, just to name a few of his great adventures. But fishing was his all-time favorite pastime. Just know if you ever talked to him about fishing you always got the truth about how many fish he caught and size for the most part but if you asked for the tips and tricks that he used you never got the whole truth, that was top secret.

The second past time that has to be mentioned was the love of going to the casinos, when he woke up each day he would check the pit of his stomach (it was called the “feeling”) it was to see if they should go West. If so he and Kathie would be casino bound with the little cooler in the back seat with snacks and drinks. No time for pit stops, it was always a trip like a NASCAR road course and was always in first place. He lived life to the fullest.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Dewey Stutesmun. Leon is Survived by his loving wife Kathie; two children Mindy Essick and husband David of Ozark, Jody Stutesmun and wife Lacey of Ozark; four grandchildren Shelby Cannon and husband Jared, Daylen Stutesmun, Reece Stutesmun, Ryker Stutesmun; two great-grandchildren Oakley Cannon, Hunter Cannon; two sisters Aliene Mills and husband Barry and Rita Hall; two brothers Wendell Stutesmun and Terry Stutesmun; many nieces, nephews and friends.

We will leave you with his two sayings,

Let you get back to your rat killen

It wouldn’t bitter me bot

Funeral service for Leon will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 27, 2024 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in Linden Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday until service time in the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at wwwbarnesfamilyfunerals.com.