Lawrence "Al" Leavitt

Al passed away October 20th, at his home in Monitor, WA with most of his loving family by his side. Al was born in Fort Cobb, OK to O.B. and Maggie Leavitt. On Al's 8th birthday, in 1942, his family moved from Oklahoma dust bowl to Cashmere, by train, to work as farm laborers. Al, along with his siblings, Hazel, Nelda Sue, Louise, Diane, Earl, Norman, Roy, and Jim all grew up in Cashmere on the Joe Smith orchard, where his parents lived until their passing. Al met his wife, Bettye J. Smith at the American Legion Hall in Peshastin and they were married September 23, 1953. They later settled in William's Canyon, in Dryden where Al worked in the orchard. The family moved to Monitor in about 1965 when Al began to work as a heavy equipment operator. They were able to buy property and Al built the family home with the help of his wife and children. During that time, he worked as a heavy equipment operator building power lines around the PNW as a member of more than 50 years for the IBEW. Al leased and planted a small orchard and worked it as well. Al was forced into retirement from building power lines when he broke his back. Al returned to school and received his GED from Wenatchee Valley College in 1995 at the age of 61. He continued to work in his orchard as much as he could. He and Bettye enjoyed fishing, traveling, dancing, singing and mostly visiting casinos around the states. The house he built and lived in until his passing was filled with so many friends and family over the years as they celebrated all life's events. Al passed was a member of the Monitor Fire Department, the Eagles and a very proud member of the Scottish Rite 32-degree Free Masons since 1980. Al and Bettye raised four children; Dan (Ramona) of Electric City, Callie (Dave) Yonaka of Monitor, Monty (Laura) of Entiat and Shannon (Glen) King of Wenatchee. He is survived by 12 grandchildren, 29 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, all of whom he loved completely. He was a man of integrity, strong work ethic, pride, compassion, generosity, unconditional love, and above all, strength. His family will forever remember him for his strong will. He was a giant of a man in every way and will always be missed terribly. Al is survived by Bettye's sister JoAnn (Pat) Burnett of Leavenworth, sister-in-law, Doreen Smith of Wenatchee. Many nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family. Al is preceded in death by all of his siblings, his parents OB and Maggie, his wife Bettye in 2008, her mother, and her brothers Hames, Jack and Joe Smith, and sisters, Edna Sollee and Avaline Smith. Our family would like to give special thanks to his dear friends and family who were able to visit, call, support and reach out to all of us during this extremely difficult and emotional time. We were so blessed that we were able to spend so much time with our Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Great Grandpa and friend. We would also like to thank Dr. Kathrine Ridgeway for being much more than just a physician to both of our parents through the years, and the medical staff that gave so much care to dad and Hospice. Lawrence Allan Leavitt will be laid to rest at the Peshastin Cemetery with his wife Bettye and his mother-in-law Lucille Smith. There will be a Celebration of Life for Al in the Spring of 2022, due to concerns of illness for others at this time. Arrangements made by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Lawrence "Al" Leavitt

April 1, 1934 - October 20, 2021