Leo Luther Baton

Leo was born August 4, 1922 in Gilroy, California to parents Harry and Evelyn (Stephens) Baton. Tough life circumstances led Leo to growing up in the Willamette Valley where he graduated in 1940 from Salem High School. His college education at Oregon State was interrupted by the attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to an enlistment in the US Navy, where he served his country with honor and distinction in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign, receiving several medals and citations for his service. He served on the USS Saratoga and USS Cowpens as an aircraft mechanic. Upon his discharge, he finished his Bachelor’s degree at OSU in Civil Engineering in 1949. After a brief time in a private engineering firm, he received a commission as a U.S. Navy officer in 1951. He remained on active duty until 1961 and continued as a reserve officer until approximately 1974.

Mr. Baton moved with his family back to Oregon in 1961, where he worked with the Sanitary Authority of the Oregon State Department of Health (later to become the Dept. of Environmental Quality). Performing many roles in water supply, city sanitation and even early air pollution studies, he eventually retired in 1985 as a public works construction grants engineer.

He was a member of Milwaukie First Baptist Church (now Grace Pointe Community Church), and enjoyed travel all over the world (having visited 57 countries).

Leo had a long interest in aviation. He became a private pilot, followed by many advanced ratings and eventually became a licensed instructor to many other young pilots. Over the years, he owned and operated at least four planes.

Leo married Lillian I. Gregg in Salem, Oregon in 1949 and they had three children together – Deanna, Douglas, and Norman. Lillian passed away in 2006. In 2007, he married Irene Helgren and became dad to her children Karen Liles and Kathy E. Postles. Irene passed away in 2016.

He is survived by Deanna, Doug, Norman, Karen and Kathy, as well as seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held. Mr. Baton will be interred with honors at Willamette National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, would be greatly appreciated by his family.