The founder of Leighton Broadcasting, Al Leighton, passed away this Thursday morning according to social media posts from Leighton Broadcasting employees.

86-year-old Leighton started his broadcasting company in 1963 with the station KDLM-AM in Detroit Lakes. He owned stations in Iowa, North Dakota, Texas, and Minnesota, including four stations here in St. Cloud.

Leighton was a World War II veteran and survived by his wife Jean and many children and grandchildren.