Frank Leach January 9, 1935 - January 29, 2026

Frank Leach was born on January 9, 1935 in Arena, North Dakota to Edgar Ralph Leach and Edna Muriel Josephson. He has one sister, Ruth and two brothers, Ralph and Irvin. As a young child he moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay Area. This is where Frank started his entrepreneurial endeavors. Frank had a paper route as a young boy. He won a number of awards and even a bike as one of the newspaper’s top subscription sales kids. His friends and siblings were always jealous because he always had a little money in his pocket.

At 17 Frank joined the United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War. Most of his service was spent as a radio operator on a mountain top in French Morocco. Frank served for 4 years.

After his service Frank attended Shasta College in Redding California. There, he met his sweetheart, Sandra. They were married in 1959. Frank went on to earn his masters degree at Humbolt State University in Eureka California in Forestry Science.

Frank and Sandra moved from California to Washington DC and half way back again while Frank climbed the career ladder with the United States Forest Service. Most of his career was spent in the intermountain west. Frank and Sandra lived in over 35 houses and had six kids.

Once they moved to Cody Wyoming, Frank was hooked. He loved to hunt, fish and the wilderness. As kids, beef or chicken were rarities as we ate whatever Frank hunted or fished—which was everything. And Sandra cooked it. It was in Cody Frank retired / resigned from the forest service and became a Realtor. He ultimately also added appraiser, insurance and title company to his resume.

As the market shifted, Frank got restless again. This time they headed to Payson Utah to open a hardware store. He got his Utah Real Estate license and sold a little real estate on the side for a year or two but spent most of his time in the store or on the golf course.

Frank became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the early 1980’s. He served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The first was evaluating the church’s timber holdings all over the United States to ensure they were being used responsibly, giving opinions and devising solutions as necessary. The second was with Sandra manning the various visitor centers in the St George UT area.

Besides hunting, fishing and golf, Frank spent time writing. Sometimes for the College or local newspapers, but he also self published several books. He spent time painting and was always up for a good ride, “just to stretch his eyes”.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, son in law Henry Andrus, daughter Laura Pexton (Jon), son Mike (Sharon), grand daughter Olivia and his sweetheart, Sandra. He is survived by his kids Lindsey Andrus, Tim (Jen), Mary Quackenbush (Dan), Cara Williams, 20 grandkids and a slew of greats.

We love you Dad! Happy trails.

A visitation will be held in Frank’s honor on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home located at 187 South Main St., Spanish Fork, Utah. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Payson City Cemetery located at 400 North 800 East in Payson, Utah.