Leon Ainslie

With great sorrow and love, we share the passing of Leon Dan Ainslie—our wonderful husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and the heart of our family. Leon was surrounded by loved ones when he left this world on May 27, 2025, in hospice care in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He passed just weeks shy of his 85th birthday and what would have been his and Deonna’s 60th wedding anniversary.

Leon was born on June 25, 1940, in Rushville, Nebraska, the only child of Dan and Elaine Ainslie. He grew up in the same farmhouse where his mother was born, outside Hay Springs, Nebraska. For the first eight years of school, he was the only one in his class. He later attended Hay Springs High School and graduated at just 16. In 1958, at age 17, Leon enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. His experiences overseas sparked a lifelong love of travel.

Leon moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1962, where he met the love of his life, Deonna Callaway—a cute little farm gal from western Colorado. They were introduced through mutual friends and married on Leon’s 25th birthday, June 25, 1965. The couple made their home in South Denver, where their three children LaDona (Souther), DaNaye (Gettel) and Danyl were born. In 1976, they moved to Arvada, Colorado, where they continued to build a beautiful life together.

Leon worked as a maintenance painter, first at the Republic Building until 1982, and later at Fort Logan Mental Health Institute, where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

He loved using his creativity through wood crafts—building a dollhouse for the girls and making wooden puzzles for the kids. He also lent his talents to the church, painting posters for various events, and volunteered as a Cub Scout leader.

Leon and Deonna took their family on many vacations across the United States. They raised their children in the city but were happy they lived close enough that the children could visit their grandparents and learn about country life on the farm. Leon’s interest in heritage led him to genealogy; alongside Deonna, he traced their family lines back centuries—all without the help of the internet.

One of Leon’s greatest joys was organizing annual family reunions in the Colorado mountains. These weren’t just vacations—they were beloved traditions, filled with laughter, adventure, spirited card games, horseshoes, and food (so much food!). Thanks to Leon and Deonna’s planning and passion for family, these gatherings created lifelong memories across four generations.

After the kids were grown, Leon made his dream of traveling the world a reality. Alongside Deonna—and often with their dear friends Jerry and Ilene Terry—they explored more than 50 countries together.

Leon was the proud father of three, loving grandfather of eight, and cherished great-grandfather of nine. His legacy lives on through the family he loved so deeply and the memories he created for all who had the joy of knowing him.

The family welcomes cards, condolences, and calls to Deonna as we remember and celebrate Leon’s life. Your love and shared memories mean the world during this time.