Leon Arthur Averett

Leon Aurther Averett, age 82, of Vernal and Roosevelt, Ut, passed away on October 17, 2025 surrounded by family. He was born on December 9, 1942 in Park City to Arthur Averett and LV Gifford. He married and later divorced Dianna Shifflet with whom he had one child. Then married and later divorced Ruby Wilkerson with whom he had four children.

Leon spent most of his childhood in Park City Utah where he learned to ski and developed a love of singing; once even performing on the local radio. His father was injured in a mining accident when Leon was a teen, after which the family moved to the Uintah Basin. Leon was very active in high school where he learned the tuba and played Dracula in the high school play his senior year.

After high school Leon joined the Marine Corps, where he served as a radio operator and achieved the rank of Corporal before he was honorably discharged. During his overseas deployment to Okinawa Leon learned a love of karate and a hatred of military transport ships.

Leon was the first member of his family to graduate high school, and later went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from Utah State University. He passed on a drive to learn to his family with his four living children and three daughters in law having earned nine college degrees between them with two more in progress.

He loved to fish, and be out in nature. Even after he became too weak to move easily he would drive his mobility scooter to a nearby park every morning to enjoy his breakfast outdoors.

Leon is survived by four children, Shawn Averett, Daniel Averett, Michael Averett, and Beth Cripps, as well as 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Mary Loraine Justice and Mildred "Midge" Street, his brother Max Averett, and his oldest son Richard "Richie" Hadlock.

Graveside services for Leon will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2:00pm in the Gusher Cemetery (250 South 8700 East, Fort Duchesne, Utah). Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 11. Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.