CHARLES RAYMOND LEIGHTON

LIMESTONE – Charles Raymond “Ray” Leighton passed away unexpectedly Oct. 23, 2008, at Cary Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was born March 22, 1921, the son of Harold R. and Sarah “Sadie” (Phair) Leighton of Limestone. He graduated from Limestone High School, after which he finished the three-year teacher’s program at Presque Isle Normal School. Later in life, he returned to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and received his Bachelor of Science degree there. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy and went to be further educated in Midshipman’s School at Bates College, Lewiston, and Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind. He served as executive officer on an LSM, attaining the rank of lieutenant junior grade and being awarded several ribbons, some with stars. After his honorable discharge from service, he married Edith J. Smith. They raised two children, Jean and Scott. Ray built several homes and operated his own woodworking shop in Limestone. Later he worked as maintenance supervisor for Loring Air Force Base and Caswell Radar Station. After his retirement in 1972, he worked inspecting the construction of several government buildings, retiring from that in 1990. Ray invented the first potato harvester to use a current of air to separate potatoes from rocks and dirt, a widely used principle in today’s harvesters. He held several patents for his inventions, including a bag tier that closes vegetable bags that are often seen in stores today. Ray’s many interests include baseball, shooting and unlimited class benchrest rifle building, lake fishing, golf, photography, optics, astronomy, woodworking, metalworking, mechanics, physics, gravity and magnetism. He had enjoyed flying and had a pilot’s license. Ray was predeceased by his first wife, Edith, mother of his children; and by two brothers, Harry and John. He is survived by his second wife, Sandra (Smith) Leighton of Mars Hill; his son, R. Scott Leighton, M.D. and his wife, Sheila, of Lincoln; his daughter, Jean Mileham of Lincoln; two sisters, Barbara Hallowell and Jackie Krug, both of Caribou; two brothers, William Leighton of Chalfont, Pa., and H. Gerard Leighton of Chester, S.C.; five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. At Ray’s request, there will be no services. Donations in his memory can be sent to a charity of choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield.