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Leo Vinzant

Leo Vinzant went to be with the Lord on Jan. 21, 2019.

Leo was born on May 23, 1933, in Ventura, Calif., to Recia and Loren Vinzant. He was the youngest of seven children. Leo was preceded in death by all of his siblings. He lived most of his childhood in Bakersfield, Calif. He joined the Navy when he was very young.

Leo was married and had three children: Terry, Gary and Rick. In 1972, on Thanksgiving Day, he lost Terry and Gary in an auto accident. His surviving son, Rick, currently lives in Anderson, Calif.

Leo met Marilyn at church and they were married on Nov. 6, 1976; Leo became the step-dad to Tim and Pam. He enjoyed restoring horse buggies and watching parades, with Tim and Pam driving the buggies. He also enjoyed going to yard sales and camping on Silver Lake in Cheney, Wash., at “Ruby’s Resort.”

For many years Leo was a tile setter, and he once had his own business setting beautiful tile work. As he got older he drove a school bus, and he did so for 12 years in Redding, Calif., before retiring from his position. While in his 70s, Leo got a job driving the train at Silverwood Theme Park for several years, which was the highlight of his working career.

In 2006 Leo and Marilyn moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, to live near his step-son Tim, his wife, Dorie, and their children, Jimmy, Amanda and Heather. They quickly stole his heart.

Most of all Leo loved Jesus and was a wonderful, caring husband to Marilyn. He read his Bible daily and prayed for many others, every day. He always shared his love for Jesus to anyone who would listen. Leo attended Real Life Ministries for 13 years. He always said Grace at all the family dinners on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter

Leo will be missed dearly and leaves behind his family and friends: his wife, Marilyn, of 42 years; his son, Rick and his grown children in California; his step-son, Tim (Dori) and their three grown children and their children; his step-daughter, Pamela and her three children; his in-laws, Lillian and Stan, who always had a special place in his heart; and in-laws, Evelyn and Gabe and their family; niece, Peggy (Jeremie) and their five children; his friends Joe, Deb, Jake, Paul and Butch; along many other great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends and, last but not least, Daisy, his little blonde dog.

To see Leo’s online memorial and to leave a message to the family please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com.