Leon Monroe Conner II

Graveside services for Leon Monroe Conner II, "Butch" to his family and friends, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 24, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Conner passed away Tuesday evening, November 23, 2021, at his home.

He was born August 28, 1942, at Albany, California, to Leon and Leah Pearl Cheek Conner. It was during his farming years when his illnesses struck. Following angioplasty, he was diagnosed with diabetes that was caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and was responsible for his ischemic heart disease. The disease masked a heart attack that resulted in open heart surgery in 2004. And in 2021, following a series of mishaps, he was diagnosed with dementia with "Lewy's bodies" with symptom of Parkinson's. Complications from these conditions led to his passing.

Leon is survived by his faithful wife of sixty years, Gaylia Conner, of the home; one daughter, Terri Belser and husband, Scott, Lee's Summit, Missouri; two sons, Leon Monroe Conner III, West Plains, Missouri, and Timothy Conner and wife, Hao, Rocklin, California; three grandchildren, Liz Conner-Lacoss, Ian Owens-Conner, and Amy Conner; three great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Kaiden, and Rose; one sister, Jeraldine Paddeck and husband, George, Nevada; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support any of the following: American Diabetes Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, or Alzheimer's Association. Memorial contributions may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.