Kumen 'Q' Leland Heywood

He was the 7th and youngest child of Yates and Florence Heywood. He came into this world sporting a flaming orange head of hair, a matching set of freckles, and seemingly tan-proof skin. He also came with a smile that disarmed everyone he met.

His father gave him the first name of Kumen (a name found buried in the Book of Mormon), much to the surprise and consternation of his mother. In high school, other kids nicknamed him ‘Q’ or ‘Q-ball’, then when he hit a growth spurt and shot up to 6’5”, they added “High Pockets” to his growing list of appellations. Although he toyed with using his middle name Leland during his couple of years in college, he went back to Q as an adult. He pondered why in the world his father had given him such a unique name until he boldly passed it on to his own son.

Like many of his generation, he was gifted in his ability to fix anything mechanical. He found employment as a mechanic, a powerplant instrument repairman, an air conditioning repairman, and a video cassette player repairman. If it was broken, he could fix it. But not before a ritual that involved him telling you how impossible the task was, how unqualified he was, and how you better not expect too much. Then he would make it happen.

He raised 3 kids with his first wife, Sandi Conant, and despite his frequent humble protests that he wasn’t any good at it, he didn’t suck as a dad. He provided for his family, taught his kids how to work, and let you know he loved you with an accidental compliment or two and an abundance of teasing. He would purposefully get your name wrong, hide your dinner plate when you left the room, or give you a soft smack upside the head and pretend it wasn’t him.

He passed away on January 4, 2023, shortly one month after he turned 80. He is survived by an older sister, Elizabeth Middlebrook; his three children, Brian Kumen Heywood, Tori Heywood Morley, and Celia Heywood; his wife, Janie Roos Tyler, 6 grandkids, and a growing pool of great grandkids and, to his disappointment, not a redhead in the bunch.

Services will be held at the LDS chapel in Redmond, Washington (10115 172nd Ave NE Redmond, WA 98052) on January 14 at 10:30 am. All are welcome.

Graveside Services will also be held in Mesa, Arizona, at the Mesa Cemetery (1212 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201) on January 21 at 11:00 am. All are welcome.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Heywood family.