Litton’s legacy to be celebrated
Public event Aug. 2 at Litton Agri-Science Learning Center in Chillicothe, MO
The life and legacy of the late Jerry Litton will be celebrated Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center in Chillicothe, Mo., his hometown.
Planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his untimely death on Aug. 3, 1976, the public event will honor Litton for his accomplishments as an innovative cattle producer, passionate political leader and staunch advocate for farmers, rural development and agricultural education. He and his family were killed in a plane crash, just after he won the 1976 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. At the time, Litton was serving as a two-term U.S. Congressman from Missouri’s Sixth District.
The “Litton Legacy of Dreams” event, planned from 2 to 5 p.m., will also showcase the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center, a multi-purpose campus planned and built by his parents, the late Charley and Mildred Litton, and by the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation.
“Jerry was always ahead of the time, whether it be in the family’s Charolais cattle business, the U.S. Congress, and his ‘Dialogue with Litton’ program, where each month he brought a well-known government leader to the Sixth District of Missouri to discuss national issues,” said Ed Turner, president of the Litton Foundation who served as campaign manager and chief of staff in Litton’s Congressional campaigns. “It seems fitting that we mark the 50 years since his death with a commemoration of what he accomplished in his brief life and what has been accomplished in his name since then.”
The Aug. 2 celebration will include tours of the Chillicothe campus, a look at the Litton memorabilia collection, and a program featuring a video and remarks from special guests. Refreshments will also be served. The event is open to the public, but guests are asked to RSVP online at littonfoundation.com, where more information can be found.
Photo Caption: Jerry Litton of Chillicothe, Mo., was a successful rancher, U.S. congressman and candidate for the U.S. Senate before he and his family were killed in a plane crash in 1976. His contributions to agriculture in the state and nation will be honored on the 50th anniversary of his death Aug. 2.