Leon I. McTeer

Surrounded by his loving family, Leon “Papa” McTeer peacefully passed from this life on Friday, July 4, 2014 at 7:30pm at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello after the age of 81.

Leon led a life filled with the joy and unceasing labor of serving and providing for his family with his wife of 54 years, Marie (Sherratt) McTeer, and their eight children, and found true joy in helping his fellow man. He spent most of his full life driving trucks, and was always happy to help others in the hundreds of towns he had the joy of discovering.

Leon and Marie spent their early days in West Covina, CA raising their family; and enjoyed living in the Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria and Atascadero area of central California for many years, eventually retiring in Chubbuck, Idaho in recent years.

Leon proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War as a Gunners mate and later in his life he and Marie had the joy of serving several missions for the LDS Church, including the Missouri Independence Mission, the Tennessee Nashville Mission and as Ordinance Workers in the Los Angeles, California Mission.

Leon was born in San Francisco, CA to parents Harold and Esther McTeer. He was preceeded in death by both his parents as well as his older brother Ervin McTeer. He is survived by his wife Marie (Sherratt) McTeer, and their eight children: Larry, Kelly, Sherri, Jeanine, Debbie, Bill, Chad and Dennis, as well as their 29 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Leon was a family man to his soul. A man who couldn't bare to be idle or not be of use to friends and neighbors near and far. Leon found tremendous joy and humility with each family he had the pleasure of meeting. He loved to travel and camp, play his banjo, and spend time with his grandchildren fishing and hunting. He also loved using his special woodworking tools to create many projects. Papa always carried his pocketknife.

Leon had a true love of music; he was known to carry his Harmonica with him and would often be asked to play for friends and family; in recent years he began playing the Banjo and found joy in his lessons. He enjoyed patriotic music of Kate Smith, and loved listening to church hymns while he traveled the many highways throughout his life

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 9th at Leon and Marie's home LDS Chapel, followed by an honored military veterans memorial graveside service at Mountainview Cemetery. Leon's family invites you to leave a brief message or your favorite memory, by clicking on "Sign Guest Book". You may contact his daughter, Deborah McTeer-Keep via email debbiek480@yahoo.com, or by sending her a personal message via her Facebook page.