Leo Jay Coonradt

Leo Jay Coonradt was born on June 11, 1938 to Danforth and Arminta (Dan and Peggy) Coonradt in Los Angeles, California. Although he was born in California, he was a Utah boy by heart and nature, stirred by the wind in the Quaking Aspen and the snow-dusted Wasatch Range.

Leo’s childhood dream was to be a soldier, and when he was old enough, he joined the U.S. Army. Through the Army he became a career officer, earned Bachelors and Masters degrees, and travelled the world. The little boy who dreamed of service and adventure became a man who dedicated his life to his country in wars both hot (Vietnam twice) and Cold. Years after Leo retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army, he was honored by being inducted into the Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. This honor is given to a select few who not only gave exemplary service in the Army, but who went on to have secondary careers of stellar public service. In Leo’s case it was his work in Utah State government with the Office of Emergency Management and his post-retirement consultation in the emergency management sector, ensuring public safety in the event of either human-caused or natural disasters.

Though a youthful broken engagement had made him skittish about romance, fate had other plans and in 1959 Leo met the love of his life, Theodora Rebecca Burke, while he was stationed in northern California. It was love at first sight and within months they were married. At the time of Teddie’s death in 2017 they had been together for fifty-eight years of devotion and dedication.

Leo’s life of service expanded to cover the growing family he created with his beloved Teddie—his children Martin, Rebecca, and Rachael; sons-in-law whom he loved as his own, Scott and Joe; his grandchildren, the pride of his life, Jessica, Jeremiah, and Jaclyn, and their spouses Paul, Aubrie, and Barry; his dear great-grandchildren Bliss, Neko, Cole, Fox, and Maven; his parents, sister Barbara and brothers Danny, Gene, and George; and Teddie’s parents, and siblings Irene, Marian, Jane, Jimmie, and James. Over time his “family” grew to an uncountable number of cherished nieces and nephews, family friends, church family, and colleagues who found in him a trusted uncle, mentor, father figure, and friend.

Leo’s life of service also included his dedication to his faith and his church. Whether it was serving as an usher or growing into an honored position as Elder Emeritus, Leo was humbled to be called on in any role to further God’s purpose of drawing everyone close to the Loving Arms of their Savior.

Leo’s strength and optimism served him well in the last thirteen years of his life. After suffering a health event that could have killed him, he fought to learn how to eat and walk all over again. He lived life on his own terms as long as he could and humbly accepted the help he needed to keep going when it was necessary. He was an inspiration to everyone he met to remember, in the words he liked to quote from a former colleague, “10% of something is better than 100% of nothing.”

When he and Teddie could no longer live together due to their various health conditions, he was at her side every chance he could get—holding her hand, watching movies, reminiscing. Their love and faithfulness touched everyone who met them.

Leo was an honorable and trustworthy man, true to his word and loyal to a fault. He was fond of saying “there are no problems, only challenges,” and met life head on with clear eyes and a hopeful heart. He made everyone around him feel like they could do or be anything, and if he could help them get there, he would.

Leo was an optimist and a romantic, a man who always wanted the movie to end with a united couple riding off on their trusty steed into the sunset.

And that is how we shall think of him now, in his own eternal happy-ever-after.

Leo is preceded in death by his sister Barbara, his parents, his brother Danny, his first-born child, and his beloved wife.

Due to Covid-19, there will only be a funeral for the immediate family. A celebration of his life will be planned for the spring once it is safe to gather together again.

In lieu of flowers, please consider support for his favorite charities—The Utah Food Bank (utahfoodbank.org), The Huntsman Cancer Foundation (huntsmancancer.org), and Utah’s homeless hospice The Inn Between (tibhospice.org).