James "Jim" Leighton

James “Jim” Michael Leighton

Loving Husband, Father, Brother, and Uncle -

James “Jim” Michael Leighton, 63, passed away peacefully while being comforted by his family in the early morning hours of March 17, 2017.

Born February 17, 1954 in Baltimore, MD, Jim was the son of James Joseph Leighton, 94, and the late Patricia A. Morgan Leighton.  The family moved to Harrisburg soon thereafter and grew to include 12 children.

Jim was a 1972 graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School and a 1976 graduate of Penn State.  After graduating from Penn State with a degree in Psychology, Jim moved to Mechanicsburg and began a job at IBM, where he continued to work as a logistics specialist for 37 years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lynn Gurski Leighton; his three children: Cassandra Lynn Leighton, Eric James Leighton, and John Patrick Leighton; his four brothers and seven sisters; and 19 nieces and nephews.

In truth, Jim’s life seemed to begin in earnest one summer’s day at the Delbrook Apartment pool in Mechanicsburg when he met Lynn.  From the very beginning of their relationship, Jim demonstrated his strength, dependability, courage, perseverance, and vast capacity for love—characteristics that only grew over 29 years of marriage, allowing Jim and Lynn to be the epitome of a team until the very end.  His passion for his family was apparent in the relationships he built with his three children.  Never a day passed that he did not express how proud he was of his children’s accomplishments, and he never shied away from expressing the extent of his love.

Jim loved watching Penn State football, spending time by the family pool, and entertaining family and friends.  His happiness in those moments was contagious.  His ability to surprise you with a quick one-liner or a goofy action would leave you speechless and always looking forward to what he would do next.  Jim was also an avid consumer of news, and he enjoyed continually learning about science and history.

All are welcome to join Jim’s family at gathering of family and friends on Friday, March 31, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a time of remembrance and sharing of stories to begin at 6:00 p.m. and a closing ceremony to take place at 8:00 p.m. all at the Mechanicsburg Club, 333 Heinz Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.  Cremation was private.

In celebration of Jim’s devotion to his children, memorial contributions can be made to one of the three organizations instrumental to their development: the Penn State Schreyer Honors College, The Pennsylvania State University, 10 Schreyer Honors College, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, www.giveto.psu.edu, Fred’s Team of the NYC Marathon running for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Research,  http://mskcc.convio.net/site/TR/FredsTeamEvents/FredsTeam?px=3766180&pg=personal&fr_id=2921, or to Cumberland Valley Swimming/Water Polo, 1 Spruce Drive, Carlisle, PA 17105 in memory of James Leighton.

Jim’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Jim’s full obituary and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com