Arthur Leigh Fairchild, KB7CQ 8 March 1940 - 2 January 2015

Leigh Fairchild, 74, has completed his journey in this life.

Born in the family home in Coeur d'Alene, Leigh grew up and spent his life in this area. At 17, he enlisted in the Air Force, serving in England and New Hampshire.

Leigh drove logging trucks for years, until injuries sustained in two accidents left him permanently disabled. After that, he focused his attention on his children and his hobby as a ham radio operator. He was proud that he talked with people all over the world, including the Vatican, USSR, New Zealand and South Africa.

Leigh was a fierce protector and defender not only of his offspring, but also of his family and friends. He would help all he could, frequently at the expense of his own health and well being. Many kind and thoughtful things he did were hidden by his gruff exterior and went unnoticed. The greatest joy in Leigh's life was to hold and rock one of his babies. He had photographic memory, and could recount scenes and happenings from the age of 2, including real candles on Grandma Pratt's Christmas tree.

Leigh was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Maryetta Fairchild; younger brothers David, who died in infancy, and Terry, who died in 1984 from the effects of Agent Orange.

He is survived by his eight children and two stepchildren: Deborah, Brenda (Kelly), Angela (Jim), Vernon (Martha), Heidi (Jerry), Kris (Jolene), Terry (Tamara), Gerry (Robyn), David and Tasha; 16 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters, Leah May Oswald and Rosemeri Dempsey, with whom he lived and who cared for him for the last six years.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 812 N. 5th St., in Coeur d'Alene.