January 09, 1933 - June 08, 2012
Calvin Gaynor Leppell Obituary
(Age 79)
Calvin Leppell, longtime Spokane resident and friend of all who knew him, passed away at his daughter, Pam's home in Hayden Lake, Idaho Friday, June 8th in the arms of loving daughters, Pamela Hull and Jan Klein. Born to Elwood and Eva Leppell in Bassano, Alberta, Canada, January 9, 1933, the eighth of thirteen children, Calvin relocated to Spokane with his family as a child spending most of his adult life in the Spokane Valley. He married Juanita Johnson on June 28, 1952 and enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage while their love produced three children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Calvin began a career in his teens with Spokane School District 81 as a delivery truck driver and retired as the warehouse supervisor for all District 81 facilities. He worked a second job for many years as the manager of the East Trent Drive-in Theatre, often taking his three children along to watch movies or help clean the parking lot and concession stand. After retirement, he worked for a few years for Imperial Data Supply before health issues forced him to focus on his love of gardening and family. Calvin was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as a council member and volunteer custodian as well as being involved with his son, Steve, in scouting. Calvin loved fishing, gardening, square dancing and managed to complete 21 Bloomsday races usually accompanied by his attentive daughter, Pam, with his final race in 2009 but recently said, he planned to run next year. He was a dedicated fan of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Seattle Mariners and Seahawks and attended Spokane Indians games when he wasn't at his "lake place" on the Pend Oreille River with friends and family. The Leppell clan has a large contingent in Forks, WA where Cal often took his family on vacations for the July 4th loggers day celebrations. Calvin is survived by his wife Juanita, Spokane; daughters, Pamela Hull, Hayden Lake, ID; Jan Klein, Spokane; son Steven Leppell, Olympia, WA; grandchildren; Kristi Wagner and Ryan Helton in Texas; Erik Mason, Greg Mason and Karly Klein, Spokane; Brionne Valentine, Tony Leppell, and Shelanie Leppell, Olympia as well as 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as brothers, Bud, Robert, Lester, Leslie, Glenn, Hugh, Ken and sister Lila but survived by his sisters, Valeta Canada of Michigan; Ruby Hart of Coeur d' Alene, Dawn Fuller of Filer, ID, and Norma Corcoran of Spokane. The Family wishes to thank Mike Sells with Family Home Care of Spokane for his loving care of Calvin the past several months. A celebration of Calvin's life will be held Saturday, June 23rd at 2:30 PM in Sunset Chapel at Fairmont Memorial Park.