Laverne Leigh Obituary

Rev. Laverne Edward Leigh of Oakridge passed away on April 24, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born on January 9, 1930, in Modesto, California, to Reuben Harold and Mary Elizabeth (Harp) Leigh. Shortly before his second birthday, the family relocated to Oregon, initially residing in Alvadore before purchasing a farm in Fall Creek, Oregon.
His education commenced at the old two-room Unity School on Fall Creek Road. During his fifth-grade year, Unity was consolidated into the Lowell School System. With the exceptions of one year in Oakridge and two years in Eugene, he attended Lowell Grade and High Schools, graduating in 1948.
During his senior year, Betty Jean Pierce moved with her family to a home on Little Fall Creek and joined the junior class at Lowell High School. They became engaged in May 1948 and were married on June 19, 1949. They established their home on the Leigh Ranch, where they partnered with Laverne's parents and his sister, Nova, along with her husband Kenneth Parks, in logging and operating a sawmill. Eventually, Nova and Ken left the partnership, but Laverne and Betty continued their endeavors in logging, sawmilling, and farming.
Their union produced four children: Brenda Lee (1940), Neil William (1952), Elaine Adell (1954), and Jolene Marie (1963).
In 1957, Laverne and Betty responded to a call to train for the Christian Ministry. Laverne enrolled in Northwest Christian College (now Bushnell University) in September of that year. Betty remained at home to raise the family while Laverne worked forty hours a week at night and attended NCC, graduating with a Bachelor of Theology for Ministry Degree in 1962. During his time at NCC, he served as the student pastor of the Deadwood, Oregon Community Church for two years and Glenwood, Oregon Christian Church for two years.
In late June 1963, the family moved to Oxford, Kansas, where Laverne took on the role of half-time pastor at the Oxford Christian Church while attending Phillips Graduate Seminary from 1963 to 1967, eventually earning a Master of Divinity Degree.
Starting in January 1968, they embarked on full-time ministry at various churches: Eureka, Kansas Christian Church (1968-1972); Albia, Iowa Christian Church (1973-1980); Marysville, Kansas Christian Church (1981-1986); and Shenandoah, Iowa Christian Church (1987-1996), retiring on June 30, 1996. From July 1, 1997, until June 30, 1998, Laverne served as interim minister at Sioux City, Iowa Christian Church part-time.
In 1996, they purchased a home in Coin, Iowa, followed by a fifth-wheel trailer and pickup truck to travel annually-spending three months in Oregon to visit family, four months working as campers in Harlingen, Texas, and returning to Coin before starting the cycle again each year.
Due to medical issues, Laverne and Betty sold their home in October 2013 and moved back to Oregon, purchasing a residence in Oakridge in January 2014.
Laverne is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Leigh. He is survived by his children, Brenda Addison, Neil Leigh, Elaine Whitman (Jim), and Jolene Thurber; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Northwood Christian Church, date and time to come soon.
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