September 14, 1961 – September 28, 2024
John Naylin Leonard of Loon Lake, Washington, peacefully passed away on Saturday, September 28th, in Spokane, WA after a long battle with renal failure. He was 63.
John was a loving husband to his wife, Sharon, and a caring father to his 9 children, Chelsea, William (Tanna), J (Julie), Elizabeth, Michael, Rebecca (Kevin), Max (Olivia), Sam, and Anna. He dearly loved his five granddaughters, Braylinn, Alianna, Vera, Brielle, and Zoey, who each had him wrapped around their little fingers. He also adored his nieces and nephews, as well as their children.
John had a happy childhood with his parents, Robert and Janet Leonard of Menlo Park, CA and his siblings, Rob, Lori and Kate. He enjoyed sharing memories of their years growing up together including trips to their cabin at Lake Tahoe, visits to the nearby ocean, and parties at their pool. He graduated from Menlo Atherton High School in 1979, then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Billings, Montana mission. He especially enjoyed the time he spent teaching on the Crow reservation.
Following his mission, John attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where he experienced a multitude of fun adventures and met many lifelong friends, including his best friend and future wife, “Shay.” They were married on April 11, 1987, and began their early life together in the California bay area.
While a California boy at heart, in 1988, John and Sharon moved to Deer Park, WA. In 1991 they purchased a home at Deer Lake that was the perfect place to raise a family. A dedicated father, John stayed with the children during the day while Sharon taught school, then would head to work for the night shift. During this time, he enjoyed several different career paths including truck driver, deli worker, salesclerk, and caregiver. Many people remember his stellar customer service at the Wandermere Fred Meyer, which he helped open in 1998. Wherever he worked, he met many people and created lasting relationships that he enjoyed throughout his life.
John loved the outdoors. In his younger years he enjoyed baseball, swimming, skiing, biking, and body surfing among many other activities. Camping and fishing were lifelong hobbies. He was an avid scouter, earning the rank of Eagle at the age of 14, then serving in the Boy Scouts of America organization for the remainder of his life. He loved being a Scoutmaster and helping young men progress in learning lifelong skills, but more importantly building character. Just a week prior to his passing, he was happy to conduct an interview with a young man earning his camping merit badge. Much of John’s life can be described by the twelve points of the scout law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate John’s life during a memorial service held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chewelah, Washington on Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Camp Baird, John’s favorite scout camp. Donations in his memory can be sent to:
Colville Kiwanis
Attn: Camp Baird – John Leonard
PO Box 55
Colville, WA 99110
The family asks that you spend time with your loved ones, get outside and enjoy nature, take a moment to reminisce with your friends, and thank your Heavenly Father for the joyous opportunities life brings. That is what John would wish.
