Joe Leigh, 85

Joseph Reid Leigh of Hauser passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, with his family by his side.

Joe was born Dec. 20, 1928, in Spokane, Wash. to John and Leena Leigh of Tyler, Wash. He spent his younger years on the farm in Tyler, and moved with his parents and family to Hauser, Idaho, in 1950.

Joe built his home with his bare hands and lumber he made with his small sawmill. He enjoyed hunting in the Blue Mountains of Oregon and took many a prized animal.

In 1964 he started his own backhoe and excavation business, taking pride in doing a fine and respectful job installing septic, water and site preparations for many homes throughout the Rathdrum Prairie and Spokane Valley. When not repairing backhoes for others, Joe was one of a few talented operators that dug the trenches for what is now known as the Hauser Water Association. He later became system operations lead until just a couple short months ago.

Joe worked for local contractors digging foundations for the first Arch Form and steel buildings that later became known as pole barns. He dug many graves in local cemeteries. Joe installed most septic and water for Donwood East Mobile Home Park in the Spokane Valley. He owned his own equipment including an RD4 bulldozer and D7 cat that he greatly enjoyed operating. Folks were always amazed at his talent to load machines on his flatbed truck with nothing more than a slight depression.

Joe raised many animals for his family and others who enjoyed locally grown meat. He cut, baled, and stored hay for himself and others. Joe spent his spare time operating the sawmill he built, cutting trees into lumber that he would use or sell. He loved to take his old Willys jeep into the woods to gather firewood for the winters. Joe had a love for helicopters and would grin from ear to ear when talking about a friend that landed in his field one afternoon and gave him a tour of the area.

Joe was diagnosed and had surgery for lung cancer in the early '90s, that slowed him. He overcame the battle and continued doing what he loved most.

Joe was fond of scratching lottery tickets he would get daily at Hauser Market and became known as "Slingo Joe" to the girls behind the counter, and every so often could be found at the local casinos playing the "one armed bandits."

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, John and Leena Leigh; brothers Bill and Charles; and niece, Joy. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Thelnora; sister Violet (Dave) Holt of Spokane and brother Delbert in southern California; daughter Jill (Karl) Paul of Hauser, son Terry (Linda) of Hauser from his previous marriage to Linda Leigh, daughters Diana (Jim) of Cocalalla and Lesta (John) of Bakersfield, Calif., sons Dennis of Hauser and Les (Dana) of Amador City, Calif.; plus many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Joe's family would like to thank the many individuals that cared for him in his last months at Life Care Center of Post Falls and Hospice of North Idaho. They are all truly wonderful.

There will be a celebration of life held in his honor at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Hauser Fire Station for those wishing to share and have a sweet snack to remember a great, sweet man. Please attend and meet with family and friends.

Visit Joe's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.