Forrest "Gaylord" and Clara Leedy

Forrest Gaylord Leedy, 89, of East Wenatchee, Our wonderful brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed from this life on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. He was born June 1, 1923 to Forrest & Ruby (Hobson) Leedy of Wenatchee. As a boy his mother had one basic rule for him: "Stay within sight of the Columbia River." He has been a lifetime resident of the greater Wenatchee area. Gaylord met Clara Stewart at the original Owl Drug Store while she was on lunch break from working as a secretary at Wells & Wade. They dated only 3 or 4 times before Gaylord joined the Navy and shipped out December 10th 1942 at the onset of WWII. Gaylord served 3 years on a weapons supply ship as a Navy armed guard. He returned after the war to Wenatchee where he and Clara made their home in East Wenatchee. They raised three girls and shared their life on the same old home place for 66 years. Gaylord started work for Puget Sound Power & Light in 1946 as a groundman until Chelan County PUD took over PSPL. He moved over to Douglas County PUD when it was formed and advanced to journeyman lineman. He later became a serviceman making sure farms & homes from East Wenatchee, Waterville, Douglas and Orondo kept their lights on. He retired from the Douglas Co. PUD in 1973. He had several businesses and activities after retiring. Many in the valley may remember him as the Lodge Pole Man cutting and delivering lodge poles or some will remember him as the Bee Man setting bee boxes in the orchards for pollination. He was also known as 'Whispering Leedy' for his loud booming voice. He was an avid outdoorsman ranging the hills and rivers for fish and game and adventure. Gaylord was also a volunteer fireman for Douglas Co Fire District #2 from 1950 thru 1973. He helped start the Fire District charter in 1952. The Fire Station was also his coffee shop and he would stop by daily to have coffee with the guys and catch up on the latest news. Many lies or stories as they are also known were shared over laughter. Gaylord and Clara built their own home with Clara working right along side of Gay. They started with a bare piece of land and a prefab house with outdoor plumbing. They built the first house then later turned it into the garage when the basement of the main house was built. In 1959 they finished with the top level of the house. They never had a mortgage on the place and made improvements as they had the cash. His beloved Clara preceded him in death May 19, 2009. She was his life-long love and he wanted nothing more than to be with her again. He is survived by his brother Laron & Helen Leedy, sister in-law Dorothy Leedy, three daughters, Pam and Don McKay of Wenatchee, Diane & Mike Gruber of Portland and Janet Barber of Portland. Three grandchildren, Lans & Rachael Leedy, Brian Hinson & fiancée Christina Hornet , Jill & Scott Collar and five great-grandchildren, Blue & Kai Leedy, Isaak Hinson, Ava Johnson and Jacob Ectinaw. His brother Jack and sister Patricia preceded him in death. A Memorial Service will be held for Gaylord and Clara at Telford Chapel of the Valley at 11:00am on August 4, 2012.

Forrest "Gaylord" and Clara Leedy

June 1, 1923 - July 24, 2012