Leo L. Addison, 75

Lakeview Funeral Home October 2, 2020

Leo L. Addison, 75, left Earth to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Hayden, Idaho.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at North Summit Church at 201 N. Division Ave., in Sandpoint, Idaho, with Pastor Steve Brown officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Leo was born on October 13, 1944, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, then to the Boise Orphanage, and was immediately adopted by David Leo and Doris Addison.

Raised next door to his grandparents, Dave and Ella Addison, on Pueblo Stret, Leo was their only grandchild and expected to be raised in the First Presbyterian Church in Scottish family tradition dating back to evangelist and writer Joseph Addison, who encouraged J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to meet at Oxford University England at “Addison’s Walk.” A portion of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail is dedicated to the Addisons by the Ross Hall Family as Leo spent many years transforming “Hobo Jungle” into its original creation, thus “Addison’s Walk” lives on.

His summers were filled with camping on streams and rivers where fly fishing was a way of life. Leo could remember straddling his mother’s fishing creel as she carried him while casting for trout. As a young boy and into his 60s, Leo was a “double clutch” caster with prize winning accuracy.

From a Cub to Eagle, scouting was Leo’s history, he was a counselor and bugler during summers at Camp Tapawingo on the shores of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho.

Leo graduated from Boise High School, class of ’62. His football jersey number was 45. Like “Rudy” of the Notre Dame fame, Leo was a second string, but necessary for a complete team. Never a varsity letter in any sport, but proud to be active and a part of the team.

However, during his teen years Leo belonged to the Boise Rifle Club, shooting small bore 22. Later in the United States Marine Corps, Leo would be the top shot of some 300 series marines, coming within three points of breaking the Edson Range record. Leo shot expert in pistol and rifle all six years in the Marines.

As a ski instructor at Schweitzer Basin in 1965, living at the Sandpoint Fire Department, Leo married his first wife of 10 1/2 years and fathered two children: first-born Kristina, followed by Eric.

In 1977, Leo and his children were blessed to welcome Mary Yaw into the family. Jerad their son, would join them in 1981.

Leo’s occupations ranged from salesmanship with Boise Cascade Homes, Sandpoint Super Drug, Ink Well, Vanderford’s, to Addison Enterprises LLC, a family-owned business of service. God, country and family were the center of Leo’s life.

A volunteer fireman at heart, Leo was active with Sandpoint City Fire in the mid-1960s and many years with Northside Fire District, where he was also a commissioner/ secretary for several (four year) terms. His father-in-law, Ray A. Yaw, was a NSFD volunteer/commissioner/secretary for 40 years and to that, Leo was most grateful. “Pop” Yaw was service dedicated to our community. A mentor, and inspiration to move forward in life.

Leo’s wife and soulmate, Mary, raised Kristina, Eric, Jerad and foster son Jason, and were married for 43 years.

The name Addison belongs to the Scottish highlands clan of the House of Gordon. Above the 10-tined stag’s head on the Gordon Crest lies the motto, “Bydand,” meaning, abiding and steadfast. Earlier translations root to the phrase, “Bide and Fecht” meaning “stand and fight.”

Leo wore this motto on his armor for God. He was abiding and steadfast in the Lord, and he stood fast and fought to spread the Gospel … until God called him home.

Leo is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Kristina (Rex) Owens; two sons, Eric and Jerad (Briana); granddaughters, Lindsay (Nate) Wilhite and Natasha Owens; grandsons, Riley, Mason, Spencer, Jakeb and Sawyer; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents who gave him all their love and care, Dave and Doris Addison

Leo is thankful for the “Band of Brothers” Christian brothers spiritual team; family and friends faithful to hope and love in Jesus Christ and God the Father.

In his last days, when asked about his regrets, he said, “I wish I had more time to fish.” He was talking about bringing people to Christ.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling his arrangements. Please visit Leo’s online memorial at www.Lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.