Richard Eugene Layton, 79, Springfield, passed away at 8:41 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2013 He was born December 13, 1933 in Hollister, MO. He was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Paul Layton. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Layton; two daughters, Veronica Crawford and husband, Robert; Teresa Layton; a brother, Dale Layton, two sisters, Louise Macom, and Margie Bradley, four grandchildren, Tara and her husband, Casey Lau, Justin Coller, Renee Tonkinson and Tess Lieb; and one great-granddaughter, Tatum Lau. Richard served over 20 years in the US Air Force, during that time he served in SAC Air Command, Air Training Command, TAT Air Command, and European Air Command. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal plus many other achievements and awards. He received the professional award from Eastman Kodak and many other corporate awards. Upon retirement from the Air Force he worked for 20 years for Colonial Baking Company as their Chief Industrial Manager, which was owned by Anheuser Bush. His hobbies were reading, fishing, woodworking, working on clocks, and his dog Pixie. Richard was the man who taught others about ethics, moral values, hard work, and love. We all cherished his quiet relationship and his talks about dogs, his inside jokes, his view of the world, his military career, and his stories of growing up in a tough environment making him the strong man we admired so. The few words he spoke of encouragement and love were sincere, you knew they were true and from the heart, we will never forget those words. We all love you and will never forget. Funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Lewis Hejna celebrant, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 3555 South Fremont, Springfield, MO 65804 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.