Donald F. Leighty

Donald Frank Leighty of Scottdale, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 95 on May 31, 2024, in Harmon House, Mt. Pleasant. Don, as he was known to everyone, was born August 25, 1928 in Scottdale, a son of the late Frank R. and Mary A. Lint Leighty. Don grew up on the family farm, where they had cows and delivered bottled milk to Scottdale residents. Their business was called Lake Forest Dairy. Don was a graduate of East Huntingdon High School Class of 1946, and of Franklin Commercial College of Connellsville and IBM Institute of Chicago. He was a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, 1946-1948 with Basic Training at Ft. Bragg, NC where he received a medal for highest Rifle Marksmanship, Co. C 43rd Training Battalion, 4th Regiment. Don served with Masan, Korea 6th Division 53rd Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters Battery, attaining the rank of T/5. Don was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. He received commendation by President Harry Truman for leadership in the peacetime armed forces and was recalled to the service in 1950 during the Korean War. Don was an office manager-accountant for Bradley Paint Co. and teller for National Bank and Trust Co., both of Connellsville. After that he was a Senior Industrial Clerk (Industrial Billing and Controls) for West Penn Power and systems analyst for Allegheny Power, Greensburg, retiring in 1990 with 38 years service. At Allegheny Power Don co-authored a paper on Financial Benefits from the Use of Portable Microcomputers for Meter Reading and Billing, and presented the subject at Edinburgh, Scotland. While in Scotland, he and his wife visited the Argylls and Loch Ness. In the evening, they visited Edinburgh Castle where they watched owners and their dogs frolic in the park. These dogs were called West Highland Terriers. After retiring, Don found one of his own and named her Tina of the Argylls. Don loved to do construction work on his home and added a room and three-car garage to the existing house after he retired. A music lover, he could play any instrument by ear. He participated in family gathering, civic and school presentations, and is remembered by fellow servicemen whom he taught guitar pickin’. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved getting out in the mountains and streams. A favorite pastime was visiting and photographing covered bridges. Don found time to enjoy woodworking in the basement and riding his Kubota while mowing the 5-1/2 acres of their property, part of their original farm. He served in Boy Scouts as committeeman and Scoutmaster for nearly twenty years. Don was Westmoreland/Fayette Council Finance Drive Chairman and earned the Scouter’s key training award. He was a member of the National Brotherhood of Scouting and Order of the Arrow Wagion Lodge and was a Merit Badge Counselor. Don was a longstanding member of the former Christ United Methodist Church of Scottdale and more recently Trinity Methodist Church of Scottdale. Don leaves to cherish his memory: Two Sons and Daughter-in-law: Donald L. Leighty Joseph F. Leighty and wife Lou Ann (Beadling), all of Scottdale His Granddaughter: Kristina Jo Keith and husband Rob of Brockway, PA His Great Grandson: Wesley A. Keith Nieces and Nephews: Tom and Colleen Leighty of NC, Stone (Ernie) and Dawn Leighty of VA, Bonnie (Leighty) and Ron Shaffer of OH, Susie Keim and Jay Detwiler of Pittsburgh, PA, Great and Great-Great nieces and nephews. In addition to Don’s parents, he was preceded in death by: His loving and devoted wife for all their seventy years of marriage, Erma Rose “Posie” Laughead Leighty, who passed away May 19, 2019 His Siblings: Viola (Leighty) Brooks, James G. Leighty and Janet (Leighty) Keim Don’s family will receive friends in the Frank Kapr Funeral Home, Inc. 417 Pittsburgh Street, Scottdale on Wednesday June 5th from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Additional viewing will be held from 10:00-11:00 on Thursday June 6th followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM in the funeral home with the Rev. Janet F. Lord officiating. Private Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. The Funeral Home doors will be locked in between the visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all memorial donations be made in Don’s name to Trinity Methodist Church, PO Box 343, Scottdale, PA 15683-0343 or a favorite charity of your choice. To view online obituary, send online condolences, or to obtain directions, please visit www.kapr.com

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