Leland Stratton

Surrounded by his family, Leland Stratton, 94, went home to be with his Lord on August 9, 2010. He had a life filled with faith, family, work, and service to his fellow man. He was born in Minot, N.D., January 12, 1916. His family moved to Arkansas in 1926 where he has lived except during WWII when he was in the Army Air Corp. While in the service, he flew a glider during the March 1945 invasion of Germany. He married Ireane Brittell in Stuttgart on February 27, 1942. He was an active member of First Baptist Church, teaching a Sunday School Class for many years, serving as a deacon and on numerous committees of the church. He was a Rotarian for over 50 years, where he served as president and was the recipient of two Paul Harris Fellowships. He served his community as a member of the Stuttgart School Board for 10 years and served as chairman from 1963-1967. While still in high school, he ran a service station to help support his family continuing until he left for WWII. In 1948, he and Nelson Rogers started what is today Stratton Seed Company, and ran the business until 1981, but continued working as long as his health permitted. He received the Pioneer award in 1991 from the Arkansas Seed Dealers Association in recognition of his contribution to the seed industry. He was president of the Arkansas Seed Growers Association and was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2008. One of his special joys was anonymously giving to others as well as encouraging young people to get the college education he did not receive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Libbie Stratton as well as 10 of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Ireane Stratton, of 68 years, his sister, Gene Moore of West Memphis, and his three children, Marilyn Elliott and husband Richard of San Antonio, Texas, Wendell Stratton and wife Paula of Stuttgart and Lois Terry of Benton, Arkansas. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Robert Elliott and wife Rebecca, of San Antonio, Texas, Roland Elliott of Honolulu, Hawaii, Cathy Hildebrand and husband Richie of Stuttgart, Mark Stratton and wife Jena of Stuttgart, Stephanie Noble and husband Andy of DeWitt, Lauren Byers and husband Zach of Stuttgart, Rebecca and Marshall Terry of Benton. In addition, Leland is survived by great-grandchildren, Chris Elliott and wife Jennifer of San Antonio, Cassandra Elliott of San Antonio, Jacob and Anna Cate Hildebrand, Abby and Emily Stratton, Keaton Byers of Stuttgart, Jackson Noble of DeWitt; and great-great-grandsons Ryan and Riley Elliott of San Antonio, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday evening 4:30 to 6:30 at Turpin Funeral Home. The family private burial will be held Friday morning. A Memorial Service will be conducted at First Baptist Church, Stuttgart, at 2 p.m. Friday, for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leland and Ireane Stratton Endowed Scholarship at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, scholarship funds at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, scholarship fund at Williams Baptist College of Walnut Ridge, Stuttgart First Baptist Church, or the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie. Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.