Kenneth Dale Leatham, 80, of Idaho Falls, quietly passed away May 31, 2016, at his home as a result of cancer.

He was born March 31, 1936, in Woodville, Idaho, to Harold G and Florence Anderson Leatham. He grew up on the family farm, west of Shelley, Idaho, where he learned his love of growing things, animals and the benefits of hard work and the joy of seeing the fruits of his labor.

On June 22,1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Sybil Jean Millar, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. A daughter, Sara, and a son, Joel, completed their family.

He graduated from Shelley High School then continued his education at Idaho State College in Pocatello, Idaho. Dale was always involved in sports, especially football, boxing and track. His physical ability in these sports awarded him scholarships in both football and boxing to Idaho State College, where he excelled. He was the NCAA Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1957 and was a member of the 1958 undefeated football team. Dale graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in education and later a master's degree from Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

After graduation he taught and coached football at Gooding High School for three years before coming to Idaho Falls, where he joined Vernon Ravsten as football coach until Idaho Falls High School was divided and Skyline High School began. Vernon went with the new school, and Dale stayed at Idaho Falls High School and coached football, track, wrestling and basketball and taught history, American government and psychology for the next 37 years, retiring in 1998. Dale is a member of the Idaho State University Hall of Fame and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.

As the Three Fountains Condominiums were being built in Idaho Falls, he was hired to install the landscaping, and as units were sold, he was asked to become the complex manager, a position he held for the next 15 years. As a side job, he established a sod business, Leatham Turf Farm, which he operated until selling in 1994. Dale was a member of the City of Idaho Falls Planning and Zoning Commission for seven years, serving as the director for five years.

He loved the outdoors and spent many happy hours camping, hiking with his family. Rockhounding became one of his hobbies and he was skilled in lapidary and construction of knife handles made of rock and bone.

Traveling was something he loved to do. Dale was able to visit Europe twice, once as the leader of a group of 21 area students; twice to Australia; several visits to Hawaii, Alaska, Cancun, Carriacou; and many of the Western and Eastern states.

Dale was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in various callings, including counselor in several bishoprics, high priest group leader and counselor, and Sunday school teacher. Dale and Sybil served a mission for the church at the Provo Missionary Training Center for 19 months.

Survivors are his wife, Sybil Leatham of Idaho Falls; daughter, Sara (Gregory) Moore of Idaho Falls; son, Joel Mark (Paula) Leatham of Rock Springs, Wyo.; brother, Douglas (Sharon) Leatham of Idaho Falls; sister, Velda Peterson of Utah; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Marvin, Robert and LaMar; and one sister, Carol Converse.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 6, at the Idaho Falls LDS Woodruff 1st Ward, 1660 12th St., with Bishop Kolby Cazier officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery.



Published in Post Register June 3, 2016