PRICE, UTAH/HENDERSON, NEV.-John Leonard “Whitey” Leetham, age 92, passed away Nov. 12, 2008 in Henderson, Nev. He was born Sept. 12, 1916, in Eureka, Utah to Leonard and Pearl Drucilla Benson Leetham.
He grew up in Provo, Utah, attending Franklin Elementary, Dixon Junior High, and graduating from Provo High School, in 1935.
He married Eleanor Forsyth on April 30, 1937. They were married 67 years until her death in 2004.
He served in U.S. Army during World War II, from 1943-1946 in the European Theater of Operations and in the MP for prisoners of war, stateside. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad in Provo and its subsidiary Utah Railway in Price for a combined 40 years. Retired in 1977.
He was an avid sportsman all his life, loved fishing and hunting, which were always family outings. He loved gardening and keeping a well landscaped yard.
He served as President of the Union Pacific Old Timers Club while living in Provo. After retirement in Price, he was a founding member and served as President of the “Balanced Rockers” Good Sam RV Club.
He moved to Nevada after his wife’s death to be near his daughter.
Survived by his three children: daughter Joyce (Dixon) Corry, of Henderson, Nev., and two sons, John W.(Lynda) Leetham of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Jay L. (Valoie) Leetham of Moab, Utah, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Also survived by two sisters, Bernice Bawden, Orem, Utah and Bette Martell, Corona, Calif. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, parents, and one brother, Max Leetham.
Funeral service Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, 12 noon, Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main, Price. Family will be at Mitchell’s one hour prior to services. Interment Cliffview Cemetery, Price.
John Leonard “Whitey” Leetham
"John Leonard "Whitey" Leetham"