George Edward Leppert

George Edward Leppert

May 29, 1947 - June 12, 2026

Airway Heights, WA – George Leppert, 79, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 12, 2026 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Dementia.

He was the oldest of five children born to John Samuel Leppert and Helen LaVoy (Broderick) Leppert in Klamath Falls, OR. He graduated from John R. Rogers High School in Spokane, WA on May 29, 1968. He joined the Army right after graduation, serving from 1968 – 1972. He then joined the Air Force, serving from 1973-1976. He was a skilled baker and chef and proudly fed his fellow servicemen.

George met his future wife, Debra Kay Heath, while serving in the Air Force. He was smitten with her from the first day they met. With his beautiful smile and his witty charm, he asked Debra to marry him. Spoiler alert: SHE SAID YES! They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 12, 1973. For 53 years to the day, George called Debra “My Beautiful Bride.” His eyes lit up every time he saw his beautiful bride.

George and Debra are the parents of six children. As they started their family, George worked hard to find stable employment. He loved to work with his hands, whether it was creating delicious meals or building anything with wood. He found his niche working for Glen Green Cabinets on East Sprague in Spokane Valley, WA. He then went on to work for Interlake at Eastern State Hospital. His reputation and fervent prayers to Heavenly Father blessed him with the job he loved with the WA State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). He worked there for 28 years until his retirement on June 1, 2013. During his time with DSHS, he held the titles of General Repairman and Maintenance Mechanic II. However, he appropriately referred to himself as “The Handy Dandy Fix-it Man.” Throughout his career, he received countless accolades, kudos, was called “an unsung hero,” and was regularly recognized as a master of his trade. Regardless of his talent, attention to detail, and skills, George was also humble. He never let compliments go to his head.

As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, George was a faithful servant of the Lord who never turned down an opportunity to serve. He held many callings in his church, including serving as a temple worker in the Spokane, WA temple, the 2^nd Counselor in his ward’s Bishopric, High Council, and as a Scout Master and Assistant Scout Master in the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years. Scouting was in his blood. No matter what calling he accepted, he was always drawn back and extended the call to serve in Scouting. He was a beloved mentor to countless young men and his fellow leaders. He taught valuable life skills in a serious, but gentle manner. His dedication to the Boy Scouts shaped his character. George earned the Wood Badge and was honored to have the Wood Badge beads placed on him personally by Bill Burch from the Boy Scouts of America organization. He was also a grateful recipient of the Silver Beaver on March 12, 2011. He was awarded the Chinook District Award of Merit, a certificate of completion for the Boy Scouts of America Leadership Training Plan, and the On My Honor Adult Award. He earned the Order of the Arrow George also had many hobbies, including fishing, camping, fly tying, building furniture for friends and family, boating, playing the harmonica around the campfire, and singing. His favorite hymn was “Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses” and he lived his life according to Jesus Christ’s example. He loved the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” and often sang “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” even up through the week of his passing. His deep bass voice will be missed.

George is survived by his loving wife, Debra, and their six children, Shauna (Rob) Klaes, George (Rhiannon) Leppert II, Tamara Leppert, Juanita (Ray) Caldwell, Greta (Robby) Martinez, and Clinton (Janna) Leppert; his five siblings, John (Elnora) Leppert II, Lorenz “Slim” (Bonnie) Leppert, Deniez Leppert, and Kurt Leppert. He was a beaming grandpa to 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. George never passed up an opportunity to make a new friend and his was a life well lived and well loved. In short, George never met a stranger.

The Leppert family offer our sincere gratitude to the kind staff at Spokane Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 10405 W. Melville Rd, Cheney, WA 99004. Viewing will be in the Relief Society room from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will be held in the chapel and begin at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will immediately follow at the Marshall Cemetery. We invite all who knew and loved George and his family to join us.