Obituaries

John Michael Leveron

Photo of John Michael Leveron
John Michael Leveron, age 40, of Columbia, formerly of Jefferson City, died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, peacefully at his home. He was the son of Lucinda (Cindy) Sims Leveron and the late Michael B. Leveron. He attended Jefferson City Public School at Cedar Hill and was an enthusiastic Boy Scout with Pack 105 and Troop 1. He was a member of First Christian Church in Jefferson City. Upon graduation from Jefferson City High School, John entered the U.S. Army Reserves and was awarded a seat in the Russian School of The Defense Language Institute at the Presidio in Monterrey, Calif., where he graduated with honors. John continued to drill in St. Louis with the Intelligence Branch and would stay those weekends with his father who was studying at Logan College of Chiropractic. It was in January 1993 on one of those weekends that he found his father had died in his apartment. John handled all the details before returning to care for his sister and mother. This event forever changed his life. He was attending Lincoln University at the time. John lived a life of service, working for the Holts Summit Police Department and at the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he majored in Computer Science. He was employed with the University of Missouri as a systems manager for many years. John was a Libertarian who held a staunch belief in the Second Amendment. He worked tirelessly to gain passage of the Right to Carry Bill. He and several close friends gave many hours and talents to the Green Valley Rifle Club, Inc., and he was an instructor for the Chapman Academy. He trained hundreds of individuals in gun safety and self defense and taught many Right to Carry classes. He was known as a patient and gifted teacher. His hobbies included shooting, music, watching MMA and also being a sparring partner. He loved his family and friends and was always ready to help those in need. He is survived by his mother, Cindy Leveron of Jefferson City; sister, Kelly Ann Leveron and her daughter Autumn Michaela Cornell of Jefferson City; his paternal grandmother, Maxine Catt of Vincennes, Ind.; uncle, Starlin H. Sims (Cheryl) of Bicknell, Ind.; cousins: Starlin L. Sims of Bicknell, Ind., Autumn Butler (John) and their children Jacqueline, Lance and Gavin of Bloomington, Ind., Jennifer Turner (Dr. Jason) and their children Madeline and Kellen of Hilo, Hawaii. John will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered as the immensely intelligent, gifted and fun person he was. Friends will be received from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2011, at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, Jefferson City, where services and full military honors will follow at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Donald E. Carter officiating. Private family interment will be held in Vincennes, Ind. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the First Christian Church Food Closet. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com

Published May 15, 2011