Earl Leonard

Earl Leonard (Cush), 74, of Idaho Falls, passed away April 1, 2021, surrounded by his family at EIRMC from complications after a heart attack.

Earl was born January 26, 1947, in North Dakota, to Louie Leonard & Irene Rose LeBlanc Leonard. He grew up and attended schools in North Dakota and Montana, graduating from Chinook High School in Montana. Earl honorably served in the United States Air Force for 20 years as a load master and heavy equipment operator. After retiring from the Air Force, he attended the University of Maryland. 

While in the service he lived all over the world starting with Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Thailand, Taiwan, then on to different bases in Japan. He was stationed in Okinawa for a few years followed by Germany until his retirement.

In 1996, he moved to Idaho from Kansas City, Missouri, to be closer to family. Shortly thereafter he met his forever sweetheart Susan Criddle at an LDS singles dance. The couple were married on October 9, 1999, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. A joyous occasion occurred on May 20, 2006, when the couple was sealed in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS temple. They shared a happy life filled with love and surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Earl was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved to go fishing and shared that passion with his family. Other hobbies he enjoyed were remote control vehicles and model cars and model trains. He loved crossword puzzles and would finish a book a day if given the chance.

Susan and Earl loved to dance. Their children remember seeing them take over the dance floor. Love radiated from them as if a spot light was on them. Earl loved and accepted all people and was an instant friend and confidant to all who met him. The biggest joy in his life was when he married Susan and gained three children in the union. The bond healed the whole family fulfilling needs within each member. Anyone who knew him was taught unconditional love by his example.

Earl is survived by his loving wife, Susan Leonard of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Marti Cross of Savannah, GA; daughter, Maria (Randy) Weeks of Kuna, ID; son, Matthew (Kourtney) Jarvis of Idaho Falls, ID; sister, Pauline Thompson of Portland, OR; twelve grandchildren (Gary, JC, Tatiana (Shawn), Keeley (Kyle), Quenten, Teya, Camren, Ethan, Anden, Zadan, Beau, Konner) and two great-grandchildren (DJ, Lydia), and many other cherished family members; who have all been impacted greatly by him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Louie & Irene and great-granddaughter Lydia Michelle.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at the Idaho Falls 26th Ward, 2025 Jennie lee Dr, with Bishop Tad Sakota officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. prior. Burial and Military Rites will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery immediately following. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Air Force Honor Guard.