Spouse #1:
Nellie LaVon Wright 13 Aug 1906-06 Jul 1943
Married 21 Jun 1933

Children:
Mary Ellen Behunin (Goold)
Roy Alan Behunin
Margaret Behunin (Jones)
Benjamin Behunin

Spouse #2:
Melissa Ann Glade 26 Mar 1907-28 Mar 1988
Married 05 Apr 1944 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah

Children:
Ann Behunin (Denninghoff)
Kathyrn Behunin (Van Tasssell)

Throughout his life, J. Leland Behunin was well known in the state of Utah for his horticultural knowledge and expertise. His passion for nature drove him to continually seek for new and innovative ways to care for the trees and plants that are such an integral part of the world in which we live.

In the late 1920's, Leland attended the Davey Institute of Tree Surgery in Kent, Ohio. After graduating, he returned to Utah; however, the spreading circumstances of the Great Depression meant there was little work for tree surgeons. In order to support his new and growing family, Leland returned to his father's abandoned farm in Emery County, Utah. He spent the next several years farming, reclaiming and expanding the farm's orchard, and when cash was needed, working in the coal mines in nearby Carbon County.

His reputation as a skilled tree surgeon was first established as he pruned the orchards of his neighbors. Eventually, an orchardist and rancher from Davis
County, Utah on a cattle buying trip to the area became aware of Leland's "eye for pruning". He began a campaign to convince Leland to move north and prune the extensive orchards of Davis County. Leland eventually agreed to a
trial period and spent much of the winter of 1943-44 building a clientele.

In the spring of 1944, Leland moved his family to Salt Lake City and established Behunin Tree Service. With World War II still raging, he could not buy a truck.
With his pruning tools strapped to a bicycle, he began to promote innovative and proper ways to care for plants and trees. Throughout his career, his ingenuity and creativity were repeatedly manifested. For example, he designed a truck to use in his arbor business from a WWII weapon carrier, developed a variety of pruning systems and pioneered the practice of injecting iron and other
nutrients into sick trees. These injections are credited with saving many trees in Salt Lake City, including several historic trees located on Temple Square and
the State Capital grounds.

Leland was the first arborist to climb and prune the historic trees on Temple Square. He nurtured the landscapes of many government buildings, businesses and private homes along the Wasatch Front.

During his 50 years of service, Leland was well known throughout the community as a man of integrity and ingenuity. Through his strong work ethic and example, a standard was set for high-quality horticultural service.

From bringing the famed Christmas lights to Temple Square to his masterful pruning of the magnificent elm trees that surround the Tabernacle, Leland's influence continues to be seen across our community.

Lineage:
Joseph Leland Behunin
Joseph Henry Behunin-Mary Zwahlen
Mosiah Stephen Behunin-Caroline Hill
Isaac Behunin-Elmina Tyler
Albert Bohannon-Nancy Lourdes

(Information has been gathered from several sources, so some of it may not be correct)