Leo Neldon Perry

"Families are Forever"



Beloved husband, father and friend, Leo Neldon Perry, passed away peacefully at home on September 30, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Leo was a noble husband and father and is loved by all who knew him.



Leo was born May 6, 1920, in Rupert, Idaho, a son of George Stephen and Beulah Whiting Perry. His mother died two weeks after Leo was born. He was raised by his maternal aunt and uncle, Bell Whiting and Levi Manwaring, who loved him as their own. Leo attended Provo City Schools and high school in Venice, California. He also graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Brigham Young University.



Leo married Melba June Colvin on May 10, 1944, in Arcadia, California. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, shortly after. Melba was the love of his life and his devoted companion for 64 years.



Leo worked for 37 years for the Deseret News Publishing Company, as a staff writer, photographer and manager of the Utah County Bureau. He covered many high profile news stories and interviewed many famous people during his career.



Leo served with the U.S. Army during World War II, with 19 months of that service in Kodiak, Alaska, and the balance in France, Germany and Austria with Patton's Army.



A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, he was a Counselor in a Bishopric, Stake High Counselor, Sunday School President, and an Assistant Stake Clerk. Leo and Melba served a full time mission together in 1989, in Broadway, Virginia and a second mission in 1990, as Public Communication and Public Affairs missionaries in Honolulu, Hawaii. They also served as Ordinance Workers in the Provo Temple and the Saint George Temple for many years.



Leo enjoyed writing, reading, hunting, fishing, skiing, BYU football and Utah Jazz basketball games. He authored one book about his career as a journalist.



Survivors include his wife, Melba, Springville, Utah; six children, Sharon Zorn Katz (Gerald), Perris, California; Rowan Jay (Donna), Eagar, Arizona; Marsha Kay Johnson (Dale), Provo, Utah; Robert Craig, Everett, Washington; Michael Brent (Debbie), Sandy, Utah; and Leo Jonathan, Springville, Utah; 24 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a baby granddaughter Kammie Colleen Perry.



Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 3, 2008, at 11:00 A.M., at the Kolob 12th Ward chapel, 1627 W. 1200 S. (Cadbury Lane), Springville, Utah. A viewing will be held at the church from 10:00 10:45 A.M. Funeral arrangements are being overseen by Wheeler Mortuary, Springville. Interment will be at the Springville Historic City Cemetery.



The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of Comfort Care Hospice, for their tender and competent care during the last few months of Leo's life.