Garth Leavitt

Our loving father, grandfather, brother and friend Garth Leavitt passed away on February 25th, 2009, surrounded by family. He was living with his daughter Jeana in Sandy, Utah. Garth was born in Auburn, Wyoming to Ray and Mona Putnam Leavitt and had 8 brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nola Jean Gardner Leavitt as well as his siblings, Brian (Verda) Leavitt, Helen (Archie) Villasenor, Floyd (Shirley) Leavitt, and Jeanene (Dan) Brown. Siblings still living include Bernita (Bill) Snook, Louise (Don) Napples, Norene (Dee) DeTorres, and Don (Dixie) Leavitt.

Garth was a friendly, social guy who never met a stranger. He served in the Korean War and spent that time in Europe in the reconstruction after WWII. He claimed he went to France rather than Korea because he was a lover, not a fighter. He was a terrific dancer and it was at a dance that he had his first date with Nola Jean. They were married on August 13th, 1953 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They spent their lives in Afton, Wyoming and raised 5 children, Claire Almeida (Gasper), Deborah Boone (Tim), Kurt Leavitt, Jeana Hutchings (Bret), Christine Leavitt.

Garth worked for the Wyoming Highway Department for 30 years and always created wonderful snow castles for the kids to play on. In 1999, he and Nola moved to Orem, Utah to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Dad had many health issues for many years and he always faced them with integrity, a great attitude and made a huge effort to be involved in everyone's life. He always told us he was going to live to 100 or die trying. We were blessed to have him with us for a much longer than anyone would have expected. He loved nothing more than to watch his kids and grandkids in sporting events and all their activities, although the referees always heard too much from him. Once a coach, always a coach and he will always be remembered for the wonderful words of advice that he was so willing to share. Dad loved a good ball game, whether to play or to watch. He also taught us all to golf, fish and he loved a good game of rook. Garth lived for his family, especially his grandkids and he was a great friend. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was anxious to share the gospel.

His family would like to thank all of those people who have so generously cared for our father, especially in the Orem Geneva Heights 9th ward and the Sandy Falcon Park Ward, Vista Care Hospice and SereniCare. Above all, Star Valley was home to Garth and Nola and they loved the Valley and they have missed all the wonderful friends and family there.

Services will be held at the LDS church on 9119 South 1300 East in Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2009 from 6-8pm and the funeral will be Monday, March 2 at 11:00am with a viewing 1 hour prior. He will be interred on Tuesday, March 3 in Afton, Wyoming at the Afton City Cemetery with a viewing from 10-11am at the Afton Tabernacle.