Oatman "Skip" Leaton Gordon

Oatman (Skip) Leaton Gordon passed away on September 14, 2025, at Bonaventure Memory Care where he had lived for two years. Skip was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on May 8, 1938, to Dorothy (Duplice) Gordon and Oatman Gordon. Dorothy later divorced Oatman  and married Clem Moreland in December 1941. Skip grew up in Minturn and Glenwood Springs where his grandparents John and Tiny Duplice lived. His cousins Donald and Jack Van Hoose and Johnny Pettingill did everything together. Living on the Roaring Fork River,  meant lots of fishing and hunting. Skip attended Minturn Schools when  they were the Panthers. He excelled in football and basketball, playing  on both varsity teams as a freshman. His call to carry the ball on the football team was index finger to thumb making a circle. He did this  continually in the huddle always wanting the ball. 

Skip and Sue Daley eloped in March of 1956 and started their life in Gilman Colorado. Skip worked in the Gilman Mine and Sue made a home in the mine’s company housing, they welcomed Kurt Leaton, July 2, 1957. Skip and Sue later divorced. Clem and Dorothy paid off the mine’s store and housing bills allowing Skip to find a different 

job. Skip started at a logging company around DeBeque, where on a blind date he met Betty Payne. They married on May 26, 1961, and built a life together for 64 years, living at 1181 Main in Minturn; the same house Skip grew up in after buying it from his parents. Skip went back to work at the Gilman Mine, it was hard work but was a good paying job. Melody Jane was born July 5,1962 followed by Brent Leaton April 29, 1964.  

Vail opened in1962 creating better and safer jobs. Skip became a maintenance man for the Lodge of Vail and Manor Vail. Skip was hired by Pete Burnett to plow snow for The Town of Vail, where he formed a close relationship with the early group of employees. Vail needed a Bus System and named Skip as the director. He loved this job and built it from three school buses with just an in-town route to what it is today. Everyone wanted to work for Skip because he developed schedules that made sure there was time to ski every day. He also developed the Smile School where all employees learned how to make sure visitors to Vail had a great experience. Skip will always be remembered for signing all his notes, even reprimands, “Love, Skip”. Employees then wrote a song called “Love Skip”. Skip was a big part of The Jerry Ford Golf Tournament in Vail, becoming close with President Ford and many celebrities, athletes and dignitaries. 

He was proud to be a fourth generation Coloradan. Skip was involved in his community and served on the Minturn Town Council for many years. He led the effort to clean up the Eagle River and remove the runoff from the mine tailings. He designed Minturn’s town logo featuring Mount Holy Cross. 

When Skip wasn’t at work, he was with his family, hunting, fishing, camping or helping with the horses. He loved all things outdoors including golf, bike riding and rock hunting. Skip never missed one of his kids’ activities either home or away.  

Skip and Betty retired to 11 Mile Reservoir. Skip said his new job was to fish every day and that’s what he did. He was the world’s best fishing guide for kids and grandkids and kept everyone supplied with fish, usually limiting out by mid-morning. After the morning fishing outings Skip could be found in the mountains rock hunting. He spent many afternoons with his kids and grandkids searching for the perfect rocks to add to his collection. Skip and Betty also spent their winters traveling around the U.S. in their fifth wheel. They had many adventures and met lifelong friends. 

Betty passed away in June of 2025. They were together to the end both residing at Bonaventure Senior Care in Pueblo, where Skip kept everyone entertained with his singing, yodeling and dancing. 

Skip is survived by Kurt Gordon (Lyn, deceased) of Dubois, WY, Melody McClelland (John) of Holcomb, KS, Brent Gordon (Shari) of Yuma, CO 

Grandchildren Leaton McClelland (Brittany) of 11 Mile Village, CO, Johna Norton (David) of Gothenburg, NE, Melissa Staley (Nathan) of Kansas City, MO, Josh Gordon (Abigail) of Garden City, KS, Jacob Gordon (Kayla) of Yuma, CO, Nicolas Gordon (Heather) of Minneapolis, MN, Amy and Lilly Gordon of Minneapolis, MN 

Great Grandchildren, Micah and Samsen Staley, Jenny and David Gordon, Ophelia and Odette Gordon. 

Graveside service will be held Friday, September 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado. Memorials may be given to the First Southern Baptist Church Youth Ministry in care of Pastor Josh Gordon 2708 N 3 St. Garden City, KS 67846.

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