Everett Leroy “Lee” Killough

Everett Leroy “Lee” Killough, son of the late Joseph Leon Killough and Estella Fern (MacDonald) Killough, was born on Nov. 18, 1948, in Texas County, Oklahoma, and passed on from this life on July 6, 2025, at his home near Mountain Grove. He was 76 years old. Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty Joanne (Killough) Booth; and several beloved cousins, uncles, aunts and lifelong friends. He is survived by his son, Sean Patrick Killough, of Omaha, Neb.; his daughter, Katrina Jo Killough, of Longmont, Colo.; his grandchildren, Lese Rachelle (Killough) Lackey, of Buckeye, Ariz.; Brooke Leanne Killough, of Savanna; Jada Lynn Banks, of Longmont, Colo.; Branden Smith, of Tarkio; Dakota Straw, Trevor Straw and Lylie Straw, of Omaha, Neb.; and his first wife and mother of his children, Rene Suzette (Brazell / Killough) Young, of Longmont, Colo. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.
Lee was born in a small farmhouse on the way to the hospital in Texas County, Oklahoma, and raised for all of his young life in Kansas. Following high school and a brief stint in Wichita State University and Emporia State University, he completed Army basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, and served his country as a trained Army medic in Seoul, South Korea. He was honorably discharged from Fort Riley, located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Throughout his life, Lee was a man of many interests and talents. He had a remarkable ability to read a book while watching television, something that amazed his children and sparked a shared love of reading. He was a builder at heart, taking pride in projects like finishing the basement of the family’s mountain home in Colorado and rebuilding a house for his mother in his hometown in Kansas. Lee was also a dreamer, often exploring new ventures and entrepreneurial ideas with enthusiasm and hope. While not all of them panned out, his adventurous spirit and belief in possibility were part of what made him unique. Later in life, Lee discovered a passion for art in the form of rock painting. With a steady hand and a creative eye, he transformed simple stones into colorful works of art. He loved sharing these pieces with family and friends, often gifting them as tokens of joy and connection. His painted rocks became small but meaningful expressions of his creativity and care. Though he wasn’t always outwardly expressive, Lee’s love for his family ran deep. His quiet presence, steady support and enduring care left a lasting impression on those who knew him. He will be remembered fondly for his strength, his curiosity and the quiet ways he showed his love. A memorial service for Lee will be announced at a later time. Cremation services were under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home of Mountain Grove.