MEADE – Burton Leon Malone, 81, died April 28, 2020 at Lone Tree Retirement Center in Meade. He was born on March 19, 1939 on the family farm south of Copeland to Roy Burton and Natalie Corinne (Hesser) Malone. He and his seven siblings each had a unique nickname with his being Lou.

Leon attended school in Copeland and Plains and graduated from Plains High School in 1957.  He always loved the rural way of life. He married Wanda Lauppe on August 24, 1958. They settled in Sublette to raise their three daughters, Debbie, Connie, and Pam. Leon hauled grain, drove a cattle pot for Daubert Truckline, and a fuel truck for Taylor and Groendyke. Leon later married Barbara DePriest on June 11, 1993 in La Junta, Colorado. Leon and Barbara made their home in Plains, and Leon continued his truck driving career. He was known to many on the road by his CB handle "Coon Dog". He was a fierce protector of his family, especially his daughters. Growing up, they often joked how their dates had to be first approved by Dad.

Leon enjoyed woodworking and made many fine carpentry projects for family and friends. He also enjoyed gardening where he supplied many people with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. While in high school, he began his rodeo life as a bull dogger and bareback rider. He continued that career until after his youngest daughter was born. In 1957, he earned the coveted title, "Kansas High School Bulldogging Champion". Leon helped many young people get started in rodeo and enjoyed attending events for many years. He actively worked area Little Britches Rodeos, youth rodeos, and local county rodeos. The smile stretched across his face when he shared memories of the rodeo circuit with his grandkids later in his life.

Leon is survived by his wife, Barbara of Meade; three daughters, Debbie Brown and husband Kelly of Sublette, Connie Van Winkle and husband Dave of Fowler, and Pamela Tonnessen and husband Terry of Towner, North Dakota; five grandchildren, Stephanie Boston and husband Todd of Elmwood, Oklahoma, Dr. Jake Hessman and wife Meghan of Salina, Cooper Tonnessen of Towner, North Dakota, Kristi Tonnessen of Rugby, North Dakota, and Travis Powell of Denver, Colorado; five great grandchildren, Cash Boston, Liam Hessman, Casen Boston, Collins Boston, and Sadie Hessman; two sisters, Charlotte Keller and husband Robert of Halstead and Diane Palmer and husband Rex of Meade; and two brothers, Donald Malone and wife Sue of Plains and Elmer Malone and wife Janet of Cimarron.  He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jeannie Stucker, two brothers, Max and Derry Malone; and two infant brothers.

Graveside service will be held at Copeland Cemetery on Monday May 4, 2020 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Terry Mahew presiding. Family and friends are invited to watch the live stream via Swaim Funeral Chapel's Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/swaimfuneralchapel/ . Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Sublette on Sunday May 3, 2020 from 1:00 to 7:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Young At Heart, the senior center in Plains, in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.