J Edward Leavitt was born in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1948. During his time at Western High School, he was active in theater, wrestling, and football. After graduating in 1967, J enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from which he was honorably discharged two years later. J was a Land Surveyor by trade for five decades, during which he helped build innumerable projects. He obtained his professional licenses in Nevada and California in 1981 and 2010 respectively. During the latter potion of his career, J worked for the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management where he managed the PLSS data set for their California regional office. Away from work, J loved to watch movies, play board games, smoke meats for barbeques, and share family dinners. His favorite past time was watching the Vegas Golden Knights hockey games. J was ecstatic the night they won the Stanley Cup. He thoroughly enjoyed his back garden, the centerpiece of which was his prized Bird of Paradise plant. He was a generous man, donating to various causes including food banks, veterans’ organizations, and especially to the local homeless individuals he encountered in his neighborhood. J owned several pets through the years and his current red tabby cats Derby and Cheddar brought him great joy. He passed away in his Las Vegas home on June 28, 2023.
J is preceded in death by his parents, J and Ila Leavitt, and June Bowman, his sisters, Teri Shearer and Kitty Bowman, his grandson, James Patrick Leavitt, his brother Lloyd D. Leavitt, and his brother in law Harold Gooden. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jaynie Leavitt, his children Scott Leavitt, Sarah Leavitt and Philip Cassan, his sons in law Jakub Dikes and Michael Cassan, his grandson Sebastian Cassan, his brother Richard Leavitt, his sister Diana Leavitt-Roleff, his sisters in law Lu-Ann Leavitt, Vicky Tobleman and Terry Aguirre and husband Carlos, his brothers in law George Green and wife Kathie, Robert Green and wife Becky, Randy Green and wife Shelly and Joe Green and his cheesy cats, Derby and Cheddar. J had a large extended family of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins whom he enjoyed visiting immensely. He is greatly missed by his family.
J requested to be cremated and to have his ashes spread in the Nevada desert that he loved. There will be a Celebration of Life held in Highland, Utah on August 13, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held in Las Vegas on October 7, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice, if you wish.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmdowntownmortuary.com for the Leavitt family.
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