Donald Arthur Leach "went to be with the Lord" on April 30, 2013, following a courageous 13-year battle with Parkinson's disease.
Donald passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. He was born on October 28, 1920 at home in Detroit, Mich., to the Rev. Arthur and Marie Leach. The family moved several times during his childhood and teenage years following church assignments, until settling in Pontiac, Mich. where the 17-year-old Donald met his future wife, Doris, at the church at which his father served as pastor.
Donald graduated from Pontiac Central High School and later attended Lawrence Institute of Technology. He married Doris on January 1, 1942. At that time Donald was working in a chemical laboratory at Pontiac Motors. He entered the U. S. Army in March 1944 and served in the 5th Army in the European Theater of Operations in World War II. He loved to tell stories about crossing the Atlantic in storms in troop transport ships.
Following WWII and discharge from the Army, Donald tried his hand at several different occupations before settling into a career that lasted over 25 years in the fast-paced business of the American automobile industry in Detroit during its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. Donald worked in the financial and management side of several large Ford dealerships until his retirement in 1986, when he and Doris moved to Bigfork.
The church was a focus of Donald's life. He enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School, singing in the choir and serving on boards. He was an active member at Pontiac First Church of the Nazarene, then Detroit First Church of the Nazarene, followed by more than 26 years at the Community United Methodist Church of Bigfork. During their retirement, Donald and Doris celebrated three milestone wedding anniversaries - 50th, 60th and 70th. Donald was also involved in the Lions Club in Kalispell, serving as president for one year.
Donald had a lifelong love of learning. He was a student of history, particularly history of the Civil War. He quoted from memory from his wealth of poetry readings. He also loved to read and study the Bible and theological works. He was an avid sports fan, following favorite college and professional teams, particularly those from his home state of Michigan. He was a devoted family man and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his father Arthur, mother Marie and sister Ruth Leach. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Doris, his son Collin, his daughter-in-law Cheryl and his son Kevin. He is also survived by brothers David and Jim, and by his sister Jean (Behr).
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Donald passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. He was born on October 28, 1920 at home in Detroit, Mich., to the Rev. Arthur and Marie Leach. The family moved several times during his childhood and teenage years following church assignments, until settling in Pontiac, Mich. where the 17-year-old Donald met his future wife, Doris, at the church at which his father served as pastor.
Donald graduated from Pontiac Central High School and later attended Lawrence Institute of Technology. He married Doris on January 1, 1942. At that time Donald was working in a chemical laboratory at Pontiac Motors. He entered the U. S. Army in March 1944 and served in the 5th Army in the European Theater of Operations in World War II. He loved to tell stories about crossing the Atlantic in storms in troop transport ships.
Following WWII and discharge from the Army, Donald tried his hand at several different occupations before settling into a career that lasted over 25 years in the fast-paced business of the American automobile industry in Detroit during its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. Donald worked in the financial and management side of several large Ford dealerships until his retirement in 1986, when he and Doris moved to Bigfork.
The church was a focus of Donald's life. He enjoyed teaching adult Sunday School, singing in the choir and serving on boards. He was an active member at Pontiac First Church of the Nazarene, then Detroit First Church of the Nazarene, followed by more than 26 years at the Community United Methodist Church of Bigfork. During their retirement, Donald and Doris celebrated three milestone wedding anniversaries - 50th, 60th and 70th. Donald was also involved in the Lions Club in Kalispell, serving as president for one year.
Donald had a lifelong love of learning. He was a student of history, particularly history of the Civil War. He quoted from memory from his wealth of poetry readings. He also loved to read and study the Bible and theological works. He was an avid sports fan, following favorite college and professional teams, particularly those from his home state of Michigan. He was a devoted family man and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his father Arthur, mother Marie and sister Ruth Leach. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Doris, his son Collin, his daughter-in-law Cheryl and his son Kevin. He is also survived by brothers David and Jim, and by his sister Jean (Behr).
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