Paul "Les" Evert, 81, of Kiowa, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at his home.

He was born on July 25, 1940 in Christian County, Missouri to Elic Evert and Ima (Moore) Leighton.  He served in the United States Army during Vietnam and married Opal M. Stone on December 23, 1972 in Cedar Vale, Kansas.  He worked on the ranch for many years, collected rocks and was a skilled orator.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pittsburg.

He is survived by his wife, Opal M. Evert of Kiowa, OK; children and spouses, Maryann Anderson and husband, Mathew of Oklahoma City, OK, Paul L. Evert, Jr. and wife Staci of Kiowa, OK; grandchildren, Jessica Fawcett, Paysha Fawcett, Joseph Evert and Makayla Evert; great-grandchild, Emilee Canterbury; brother, Jerry Leighton of Kiowa, OK and sister, Alice Porter of Springfield, MO.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elic Evert; mother, Ima Leighton; brothers, Frank Evert, Michael Evert, Roy Evert, Jack Evert and a sister, Betty Bartlett.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Pittsburg with Pastor Kenneth Morrow officiating.  Burial will follow at Pittsburg Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be Paul Evert, Jr., Mathew Anderson, Michael Stone, Jerry Leighton, Jarryt Gillespie and D.J. Leighton.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Leighton, Sr., Donald Stone, Timothy Stone, Joseph Evert, Terry Stone, William Stone, James Lane and Robert Stone.