Richard “Dick” L. Leathers, 77, retiree and long time resident of Fountain Valley, Ca. passed away January 5th. 2010. He was born in St Joseph Missouri on January 27, 1932, and hometown was in Canton Ill, the son of Russell and Florence (Rasmussen) Leathers.
After graduating high school in 1950, he then went on to serve our country in the Korean War. After his duty, he then met Jacqueline, his soon to be beloved wife and companion for 49 years. Dick was the father of two children. He liked to spend time with his children camping on the beach, and later on, taking his grandchildren offshore boating.
Dick was employed by several pioneering computer peripheral manufactures as the company’s regional sales manager, including Viewsonic Display Division in City of Industry throughout the 1980’s. He was previously employed with Lear Sigler at their Anaheim facility for over 25 years.
He was an avid Mariner/Fisherman and a fair-weather beach comber who preferred sunny climate conditions at the Dana Point Embarcadero Marina, or the warmer conditions on a tropical Hawaiian island. He was a member of Calvary Chapel Church, Costa Mesa, CA. where he volunteered at the 5O+ bible study group. Dick was also very active within the local community at the senior citizen center where he assisted in transportation arrangements so that local seniors could visit, and sometimes, involuntary leave some of their personal retirement funds to several select Indian reservation casinos.
But best of all, he truly enjoyed and relished being a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and friend.
Survived by: daughter Cathy, son Rick, sister Norma, grandchildren David, Ryan, Kenny, Jennifer, Sara, and Michael.
A funeral service and reception will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 11, 2010, at Garden Grove Friends Church, 12211 Magnolia Street, Garden Grove, CA.
Jennifer
Grandpa –
“Oh gads.” Where do I even start? Standing up here 5 years ago was tough, probably the toughest thing I have ever had to do. But I did it because I wanted you to know how much you and Grandma meant to me. Looking out into the church, I saw your sweet face and wanted to make you proud. But now, I stand here, and you aren’t here to hug me afterwards and tell me how much that meant for you to hear. Well I hope that you are both watching this from Heaven.
You know, the day God took you home, I had this feeling. In the middle of furiously working, I just stopped at looked at the clock. It was Tuesday, at 6:08 in the evening. I stared at it blankly for minutes and just watched time pass. I looked out the window at my desk and thought of what my Grandma might be doing at those exact minutes, and if she was watching over all of us. I thought about Heaven and what it would be like to see her again. I even said a prayer for you. Twenty minutes later I got the phone call that I had been dreading all month. The sweetest voice in the world, called and told me that you were gone. I couldn’t believe it. I was supposed to see you the very next night.
All month long, my mind has been racing with memories of you. From the more recent times at birthdays, barbeques and just this last Thanksgiving to my childhood at your house with you and Grandma; you teaching me how to play wiffle-ball in the front yard. Taking me to church on Sunday’s where I would cry when you dropped me off at my class. We’d always get go to eat at Mimi’s Cafe in Grandma’s favorite booth. I remember playing waitress with you in the kitchen, while I try to rattle off Grandma’s special of the day. Always the same: coffee, eggs and toast. You would always tip me 50 cents, and man, I thought I was a millionaire. I remember feeling so lucky and responsible to get to learn how to iron, and how important it was for me to iron all of your handkerchiefs, for you to have with you at all times. I remembered trips to Disneyland on school days, rides on your fishing boat, the first time I saw dolphins in the ocean, and even the time I fell in the harbor, trying to hold on to the boat from the dock. You and grandma couldn’t stop laughing. I remembered just sitting with you on your couch, and playing with Cricket and Mr. Dickens, watching TV and Bible programs, and just talking. I thought about my makeshift “View-Sonic” bathing suits that you would give me so I could go in the spa. I remember the way you smelled in the mornings. I even remembered the first and only time you ever raised your voice at me. Turns out darts are meant for the dartboard, and not for my brother’s back.
No matter what I did, you were always so proud. You always had so much faith in all of your family, no matter what any us did. But I still feel like I let you down. Time and time again you said, “stop by the house dear, I would love to see you.” For years I have driven past Bushard and stopped by dozens of times. But the guilt I have in my heart for not taking the time to stop by more, to spend more time with you, to sit and have a diet coke or a tangerine, and just visit. For that, I am forever sorry. I really wish I had taken the time to talk more. In going through your old letters and notes with my parents these last few days, we have discovered parts of your life that not even my mom knew about! Maybe you would’ve told me about your multiple girlfriends, fiancee’s, and women that wanted to elope with you! Well “Slick” as they called you, you were right to tell my mom and I to watch out for the quiet ones. We really got a kick out reading those. It was nice to laugh so hard.
You were truly the sweetest, kindest, and most gentle man I have ever met. You will be greatly missed. I always thought that you would be at my wedding. To watch me walk down the aisle and tell Grandma how beautiful you thought I looked. A big part of me will be empty whenever that day comes.
We all lost a part of you when Grandma passed. I remember being in the hospital room and watching you cry out that you needed her. I guess now, she needs you. You were the best grandfather any of us could ever ask for. Always there in times of happiness to share our joys and in tougher times to lend a helping hand. When Grandma passed, I said that she would be my guardian angel once she got her wings. Now I will have a flock of angels watching over me with you up there too. I love you Grandpa. xoxo
Cathy (daughter)
My Dad
Where do I start?
Growing up I can remember every Sunday going to church as a family, we attended Garden Grove Friends. Back then it was called Alamitos Friends Church. We would go to Sunday school and then to Church, and then back home where my Mom would always have Sunday dinner. Often we would have my grandparents over. My parents would also have older people from the nearby retirement home over for Sunday dinner, just to get them out of their environment, to enjoy some family time.
I can also remember camping for family vacations. We would go down to Doheni State Beach, or up to June Lake, and camp in a tent. My mom would usually out fish my Dad.
I don’t remember my Dad ever raising his voice to me or ever giving me a spanking (I was a good girl). If he told me to do something there was never a question, I just did what I was told to do.
He didn’t talk much about his early life, or time in the service, but loved his family, and spent most of his time with us.
He loved the ocean, relaxing on the beach “getting a little sun”,
And being on his boat fishing with his grandkids. Sometimes they would catch fish and other times not. It didn’t matter; of course it was always more fun to catch something!
I remember on a trip when David (his grandson) was about 4; we went up to Mammoth to visit Rick (he lived up there as a cook/ski instructor). Well, we were there when the biggest storm of the season hit, and it was freezing cold. Dad and I had never skied before and decided to take a lesson. I did OK, but Dad…. not so good. They advised him that he should get private lessons, Dad never skied again!!!!
After my mom passed away in 2005, Dad was very depressed and I remember wondering if he was going to die of a broken heart. He started going to the Fountain Valley senior center. He also went to dinner with his neighbor Darlene and they enjoyed lots of time together, dinners, watching movies, and even did some traveling together. Dad seemed to be happier having someone to do things with again.
When I would call him he would always say “hi dear” in his soft loving voice. And just hearing his voice made everything better for me. I wish he could just say it to me one more time. It seemed as Dad could always tell by the tone of my voice if everything was OK or not, and would always reassure me that it would be OK, and that he would pray about it.
While he was recently in the hospital, Rick and I would spend most of our days at his side. He got tired of listening to me say “Dad” “Dad”, and a lot of times wouldn’t even acknowledge me. But if one of his “Grandkids” said, “Grandpa”, or “papa Dick”, he would open his eyes and acknowledge them immediately!!! Guess he just didn’t want to talk to me, or he just had selective hearing!!!
It was Christmas time while dad was in the hospital and he would ask me what I was doing today. I told him that I was going to bake cookies. He said “I love your cookies”, and for the next few days he asked where the cookies where. So I brought in a molasses cookie and mixed it with a little milk so he could enjoy it. I asked him if it tasted OK, and he said he loved it. He also enjoyed chocolate milk, so Rick would “sneak” him in chocolate milk or a chocolate frosty from Wendy’s.
I went to visit him on Tuesday morning, the day that he passed away, and told him how much we all loved him. I said “Everybody loves you” and he said “I love everybody too”. Those were his last words, and the words I will often think of.
For those of you with parents that are still alive, spend “TIME” with them, and find out about their history. It seems we are always so busy and don’t have time to slow down. But do. I don’t have one more day to ask him questions, but WOW, if I did I would ask about a lot of things. My dad was a man of few words, but was a “heartbreaker” too!!!
I am sure that when my dad “Finally” got to heaven, my mom was waiting there saying, “DICK WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? AND WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST STOP AND ASK FOR DIRECTIONS?
I love you Daddy.
David Graff (Grandson)
It would be so easy to be selfish and angry that my Grandfather is gone and I don’t think anyone could blame someone else for wanting him back. He was TRULY a Great man in every sense of the word. He taught me so much about the world and so much of what i am and what I strive to be comes from him. he helped raise me from a little boy, and most of my very first memories have him in it. I remember playing wiffle ball with him in the front yard many many times, I would always bug him over and over until he let me help him mow the lawn. My favorite memories are the many times he would take me out on his boats, we had so much fun fishing and cruising around, whether we caught a fish or not never really mattered, we knew the best part of the trip was the time we got to spend together out on the water fellowshipping with each other.
I remember how much he loved his family and how patient he was with all of us. Very rarely would ever see my grandfather get upset, he was such a kind and patient man, and he always seemed to choose his words carefully. He never lost his temper and i am sure with 6 crazy grand kids running around there were many opportunities to lose it, but he never did. He loved all of his children and his grandchildren so much, and we loved him right back and he sure made it easy to do. Very rarely in life have I come across a man with so few faults, I wont say he was perfect, but as close to perfect as most will ever know. He is the Dad every father strives to be, the grandpa ever grandfather strives to be, and the friend to others that we all strive to be.
As I said earlier it would be so easy to be selfish and angry that he is gone. No one could blame us for missing such a great man. But today is actually a day where I do have something to be happy about. Because My grandfather got to be reunited with my grandmother in Heaven. She has been waiting for him and watching over us for 5 years now and I know that he just could not go another day without being reunited with her. Knowing that they are together in Heaven waiting for the rest of us makes it all better for me. I know they are having so much fun together right now, and they will never have to be separated again. I know it sounds odd to say you had a good time at a funeral, but i take comfort knowing that today as we celebrate my grandfathers life and his departure here on earth, they are celebrating and rejoicing his arrival in heaven.
Mel & Bonnie Pool
It was an extreme privilege to have met Dick Leathers. He was always a "huggy" person who made Mel and me feel welcome in to the Leathers family. We both know he loved his children and grandchildren without reservation. We will miss him, but know he is with Honey. He is resting in peace.
Norma Leathers Dilla
What can I say. We had alot of good times together. Growing up in Illinois was a real Disneyland, Adventure Land for us. You were either fishing or we were exploring. And everywhere you went I was sure to be close behind you. Not always to your liking - but what did I have to lose - you were stuck with me. Fishing and hunting with our cousins and uncles and our Dad was an real adventure. We were so blessed to have our Grandmother and Grandpa living out in country and going there every Sunday for chicken dinner.
I will miss you so much and our phone calls and visits. "Everywhere me go, me sister follow me" as our Dad use to tell his sister. But will see you again when it is time for me to follow you.
Love You Much,
Norm
Cathy Leathers
Dick was a wonderful man, I couldn't have asked for a better father-in-law. I will miss him and Honey more than he knows, and I look forward to the day I will meet him again.
Darlene
I met Dick and his wife 42 years ago. We were friends and neighbors in Fountain Valley. They were the first people I shared my faith in Christ with. Dick was a gentle, loving man. He loved his family and was very proud of them all. I will miss him. Thanks for the memories.
Selma Turnblom
I have known Dick about 5 years. I meet him and Jackie at our Tuesday night bible study at Calvary Chapel.
After Jackie passed away, I asked Dick if he would like to help me with the Fountain Valley travel club hoping it would help him get over the loss of Jackie. It did, after a while he was laughing and talking just like the old Dick.
We had lunch at the senior center every Tuesday and Thursday together and never once did he forget to THANK GOD FOR HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS and his food. He was a strong Christian man who loved his children more then life it's self
We had a "wonderful" time with the senior's listening to all their fun times and bad ones.
God gave Dick a lot of patience with the old ones. He would help with the wheelchairs and walkers so the people would not fall.
Dick was a great person to work with and have as a friend. The club will miss him very much and so will I.
Sara
Papa dick was the best. i have so many memories with him. From sitting on the couch eating coconut covered marshmallows or going to burger king to pick up a whooper. Going on his boat. Now that he's gone i can't truly be sad because i know he's up in heaven with honey having a good old time. i'll miss him so much i can't even comprehend it. i love you.
Shirley Pyle
I met Dick and his wife through my husband who worked with Dick at Lear Siegler. Gene always spoke highly of him, and it was my pleasure to know him and also to teach his son. My condolences to his family.
Kevin
Dick was a wonderful person, and a fantastic father-in-law. I learned many lessons from him. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, I payed attention. He was a veteran of the Korean war, but would never discuss much of his service.
I enjoyed fishing with Dick on his boat and helping him to fix things around his house.
When we would go out to dinner, we often argued over who would get to pay the dinner bill. He was a very proud man and always wanted to pay his own way.
I will miss him more than I can say. He truly was a second father to me.
