Leon David Gillman

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    Leon David Gillman, age 85 passed away peacefully at his home in Pleasant Valley on July 21, 2023.  
    Leon was born on July 14, 1938, the fifth of seven children born to Alvin M (Snow) and Louie Thorne Gillman. He was born in the family home that once served as the LDS tithing office in Lindon, UT. He grew up on a farm where he learned to work feeding the calves, thinning sugar beets and milking cows. He enjoyed planting and harvesting crops with a team of horses.  His siblings were also his childhood friends. Together they played basketball with one hoop mounted on the side of the hay barn and another hoop hung on the chicken coop.
    Leon attended Lindon Elementary school where his favorite subject was recess. He graduated from Pleasant Grove High school which at that time consisted of 7th – 12th grade. Leon enjoyed his agriculture and welding classes and was a member of the FFA. He also loved football and during his senior year his team went undefeated and won the State Championship.  
    Leon married his high school sweetheart, Karolyn Swenson, on June 25, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with 5 children, David, Darrell, Jolynn, Karalee and Brent. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa who dedicated his life to strengthening his family.   
    Being a farmer was Leon’s lifelong dream. In 1979 he purchased a farm in Pleasant Valley, UT. He was a progressive farmer who worked to increase crop production and improve the quality of his  livestock. Each spring he rejoiced in the miracle of watching the seeds he had planted begin to grow. He was grateful to be able to provide for his family doing what he loved. The last few years of his life he found great joy watching his son and grandsons farm the land he loved for over 45 years.    
    Leon was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in various callings, but his favorite was teaching the youth in Sunday School. He and Karolyn served two missions together. They were called to the Armenia Yerevan Mission serving in Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia as the Humanitarian Country Directors. They were also called to a service mission as Facilities Management Missionaries. Leon loved the temple and was grateful for the opportunity to serve with Karolyn as ordinance workers in the Vernal Temple for many years.
    He is survived by his wife, Karolyn and their children; David & Charlotte Gillman, Vernal; Darrell & Ronda Gillman, Pleasant Valley; Jolynn & Grant Peterson, Grantsville;  Karalee & David Kettle, Ballard; and Brent & Erica Gillman, Pleasant Valley; as well as his younger brother, Clint (Marilyn) Gillman, Lindon.  They were blessed with 21 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren. 
    Leon was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; Lowell, Dale, JVar, Paul, and sister, Rayola. 
    Thank you to Canyon View Hospice and Lance White for their loving service to our family. Leon and his family would also like to express their appreciation to all those who enriched his life through their love and friendship. 
    Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at the Myton Ward Chapel at 1:00 p.m.  A viewing will be held that morning from 11:30 - 12:45.
    Burial will be in the Roosevelt Memorial Park with military honors presented.