David “Dave” E. Leithold, 76, was born on April 5, 1947, in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Emil and Dolores (Strunk) Leithold. Dave passed away on May 21, 2023, in Olympia, Washington. Dave grew up on a farm in Malin, Oregon then finally residing in Montesano for nearly 54 years with his wife Sandra Leithold.

Dave and Sandy met through a mutual friend. And while Dave was in the Army in Vietnam, Dave’s friend and he wrote letters back and forth overseas. Sandy was encouraged by her friend to write on the same letter. Shortly after he came home, he called Sandy. They then married on March 14, 1969. They were blessed with two beautiful girls and the rest was history. Dave serviced in the Army from 1967 to 1972.

He worked in a couple mills then into the logging field for almost 15 years. He then retired from Mary’s River Mill in Montesano in 2012.

Dave was a very stubborn man and set in his ways. He always loved to get his grandchildren and great-grandkids in trouble. Whether it was throwing foods in restaurants to enticing them to throw rocks. At times it was like he was the youngest child with his stash of squirt guns. His favorite pastime was driving up and down the coast as well as garage sale-ing.

Dave is survived by his wife Sandy and two daughters Gale Leithold and Tammy Decker. He was a proud husband, brother and uncle. He especially loved all his seven grandkids and five great-grandkids.

There will be a viewing on Friday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home. On Saturday, June 3 we will have a graveside service for Dave at Fern Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m. Following there will be a potluck celebration of life, at noon, at Central Park Neighborhood Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.