The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

John was born in Eugene at Sacred Heart. He left Eugene around 9 or 10 years old with his parents, Darrell and June Leavitt, and sister, Jean, and moved to Lakeview, where they started cattle ranching.

John went to and graduated from Lakeview High School. He participated in football, basketball, and track. He went to junior rodeos, and he was a Gold Card holder for the PRCA.

When he was around 24 years old, he went to Europe with Buster Ivory via ship to be a part of "Rodeo Far West," bringing rodeo to many different countries. He roped calves, bull-dogged, and was a pickup man.

On his return he bought a Western store in Sisters in 1976, which became a landmark and well-known as Leavitt's Western Wear. He retired after 40 years in the business.

John was a big part of Sisters Rodeo for 45 years. He served as president for two terms, was on the board of directors, and settled in as arena director and taking care of the timed event cattle. John retired from Sisters Rodeo in 2022 due to health issues.

John is survived by his wife, Kathryn Leavitt, her children and grandchildren; his godson Kade Owen; his sister, Jean Corbett, her husband, Tom; nephew Cody Corbett; niece Stacy Ramsey, her husband, Justin, their children Jace and Braeden Ramsey; his cousin Kathie Hardy, her husband Jim Hardy, and their son Justin Hardy.

John requested that no service be held and that in lieu of flowers people make a memorial contribution in his memory to one of the following:

Oregon High School Rodeo Association, Attn: Bobbi Aldrich, 2730 NE Loucks Rd., Madras, OR 97741 (in the memo please list John Leavitt's name), or to the Sally Leavitt Queen Educational Scholarship, C/O Queen Scholarship, PO Box 1018, Sisters, OR 97759.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel is overseeing the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed, or the guest book signed, online at http://www.desertrosefuneralchapel.com.