Gordon Leech 1924-2007

WHERRY, MC SWEENEY, OLSON, SHAFFER

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 10/19/2007 at 20:07:16

Memorial services for Gordon Leech, 83, were held Sunday, Oct. 14, at First United Methodist Church, Fayette, Iowa. Internment followed at Greenwood Cemeter, rural Westgate. The Rev. Thelma Colorado-Subramanian officiated.

Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Sumner, handled the arrangements.

Gordon died on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 from natural causes. He had been a resident of the Hillcrest Home in Sumner.

Gordon Leech was born Feb. 17, 1924, the son of Harold and Florence Wherry Leech at the Leech farm near Westgate. He was baptized at Murphy E.U.B. Church, Westgate. He graduated from Maynard High School in May, 1942.

In June, 1942, Gordon enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served his country for 20 years, taking his training at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, Ill. When he retired from the service his rank was Senior Chief Electrician Mate.

Gordon was married to Helen McSweeney on July 17, 1949, at the Fayette Methodist Church. He and his wife, Helen adopted twin daughters, Roberta (Bobbie) and Rebecca (Becky) in 1960.

When he retired from the Navy, Gordon and Helen moved to Fayette, where they owned and operated Leech Electric, for about 40 years. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Fayette, and the West Union Lodge #69 A.F. & A.M., and held many offices in both organizations. One of Gordon's favorite pastimes was following the Chicago Cubs.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, who died in 2000; his daughter, Rebecca, who died in 1995; his parents, Harold and Florence Leech, and stepmother, Anna Leech; three brothers, Roy, Milton, and Donald, and two nephews, Randy Leech and Gary Leech.

Gordon is survived by one daughter, Roberta Leech of New Hampton; a sister, Virginia (Harold) Olson of Pomeroy; two sisters-in-law, Jean Leech of Sumner, and Mary (James) Shaffer of Sanford, N.C.; several nieces and nephews.

Fayette County Union, October 16, 2007