Leighton Fairbairn, 1929 - 2021
Leighton Fairbairn
Dr. Leighton E. “Leigh” Fairbairn, 91, of Edmond, Oklahoma and formerly of Garden City, Kansas, died Friday, April 9, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was born April 20, 1929, in Claflin, Kansas, the son of John E. “Ed” and Frieda Grossardt Fairbairn. He grew up in the Claflin area, graduated from Claflin High School and was very active in athletics – football, basketball and track. In his senior year, he was voted President of his class.
Upon finishing high school, he enrolled at Kansas State College and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. While in college, he was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity and a member of the Alpha Zeta Honor Society. Upon graduation he set up a practice in Kinsley and married his long time sweetheart, Marilyn Blankenship from Great Bend. In two years, he was called to active duty from his ROTC as a Base Veterinarian at an Air Base in Oscoda, Michigan. He spent a two year tour of active duty as was required in ROTC. The Korean War was over. He returned to veterinary practice, not in Kinsley, but to Garden City with Dr. M. P. “Jack” Reeve where he practiced veterinary medicine for over 30-years. He transitioned to financial planning where he guided families in funding their children’s college and future retirement.