Donald L. “Don” Leathers

A soul remembered for his consistency, hard work, and “always being there with a smile and a laugh”, Don graduated from Jamestown High School in 1951 and made his life’s work as a journeyman sprinkler fitter with Sandberg Sprinkler. He married the love of his life, the late Marian L. VanOrder Leathers on November 19, 1955. Together, they raised three children, passionately keeping family at the center of their lives.

Don was a precise person and was a competitor in everything that he did. He took pride in conquering puzzles; the more difficult, the better (except for the ‘coffee bean’ puzzle). From his dedication to the Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox, dating back to the Ted Williams era, and cheering for the Syracuse basketball team through the decades, Don was a dedicated fan of sports. In earlier years, Friday nights were reserved for bowling with his dad, Laurence, when Don enjoyed a PBR or two; he also played church league softball into his 50’s. He loved his trips to the casino and frequently won games of pinochle, bridge, and cribbage with friends and family, especially frustrating the “cronies” at the South Hills pinochle table.

Throughout most of his life, Don enjoyed the beauty of Lake Erie. Van Buren Point is where Don grew up across many summers, and it was a welcome and relaxing escape to many generations of Leathers, with swimming, ice cream making, sunsets, beach fires, and of course, competitive games.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were Don’s joy. He quickly softened his otherwise firm extremes of being set in his ways. Touching his antiques was an unspoken restriction until they became approved toys for the grandkids.

Socially, Don’s network was meaningfully broad. He was well-known by many, while always remembering not only one’s name, but something about them. Whether it was his membership at Immanuel Lutheran Church; golfing at South Hills Country Club; or, greeting friends at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club and IOV #65 Vikings Lodge, Don thrived on conversations and camaraderie.

His loving and lively spirit will be deeply missed by his daughter, Susan A. (Collin) Smith of Lakewood, NY; his son, David L. (Shelly) Leathers of Jamestown, NY, his daughter-in-law Judy Leathers of Waynesville, NC; grandchildren: Shawn Carlson, Melissa (Nick) Palmisano, Eric (Alexa Vazquez) Leathers, and Alyssa (Michael) Chapman; great-grandchildren: Kyler Carlson, Addison Palmisano, Avery Palmisano, and Lucy Chapman; as well as sisters: Jody (the late Martyn) Bentley of Ellicottville, NY and Janice (Durand) Peterson of Jamestown, NY.

Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marian L. Leathers; his son, Stephen L. Leathers of Waynesville, NC; and his brother, Gene (Mary) Leathers of Altamonte Springs, FL.

The funeral service for Don will be at 6:00pm on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Lind Funeral Home. Reverend Mark Swanson will lead the service. The family will receive friends for two hours prior to the service from 4-6pm Friday at Lind’s. Burial will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750. The family would like to deeply thank the caring staff at the STAR Hospice House for their unwavering compassion throughout Don’s time there the past two months.

To leave a condolence, please visit lindfuneral home.com.