Leon Dale Bear

Leon Dale Bear, age 59, passed on Jan. 15, 2016, at the University of Utah hospital. He was born Feb. 14, 1956, in Tooele, Utah to Lillian Decker Bear and Richard Bear. Leon married Tomi Krueger on July 5, 1979. He is survived by two daughters, Kelly and Candace; siblings, Donna (Henry) Chavez, Dennis Oppenhein, Arthur (Janice) Oppenhein, Steven Bear, Annette Bear and Clifton (Pat) Oppenhein; and several nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Bear; his mother, Lillian Decker Bear; his father, Richard Bear; and his nephew, Albert Chavez. Leon was raised in Stockton, graduating high school in Tooele, and living out the rest of his life on the reservation in Skull Valley. Leon had a love of family, horses, motorcycles, and heavy equipment. Leon had given more than 25 years in public service to the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes and lastly, serving as Chairman for 10 years. His favorite saying was, “if you’re important, they’ll wait.” As a tribal ambassador, Leon was able to travel throughout the world in France, England, Japan, and Sweden in search of viable projects for his people. Per his request, he was cremated. In honor of this world traveler, the family will bid Leon farewell in a private service to bury his ashes on Monday, May 30, 2016, as he takes his final journey to the next world.