Michael Leighton Obituary

Michael Charles Leighton

December 27, 1946 - January 25, 2025

Henderson, Nevada - Michael Leighton passed away peacefully at his home in Henderson, Nevada on January 25, 2025, due to cancer and complications related to heart failure. Mike was born in Bellingham, Washington. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1965. As a young man he loved spending many pleasurable summers with his adored grandmother Gar in Montana. Mike was quiet and unassuming. He enjoyed reading science fiction and learning new computer languages and skills. He also had a lifelong passion for golf and even constructed several sets of his own golf clubs. He attended Western Washington University where he received a bachelor's degree in computer science. He had over twenty-seven years of professional software development experience in commercial and government applications. He knew over twelve computer languages. One of his favorite memories was being the task leader in support of the National Aeronautics Space Plane simulation system. In 1994 Mike met his future wife Gail Behrns and moved to San Francisco three years later. They enjoyed the next twenty-seven years pursuing their careers and traveling worldwide, oftentimes with his golf clubs in tow. And yes, he achieved his dream of playing the Old Course at St. Andrews. Mike and Gail tied the knot in 2004 with a Las Vegas Elvis wedding (Mike's idea). This is when they permanently moved to Henderson, NV. Mike enjoyed growing and eating very hot peppers, cooking new recipes, smoking meat, and watching the Seattle Seahawks. Michael is survived by his wife Gail Behrns, his sister Lynda Leighton, best friends Marv and Melanie Prinsen and Mark and Patsy Tappan, and many other lifelong friends and family. Michael is proceeded in death by his beloved mother Valgene Leighton. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held in Ferndale in the summer months.