Leon Ferris Casper

Watch Live-Stream of the Graveside HERE.

After a long battle with silicosis of the lungs, Leon Ferris Casper, age 74, of Tabiona, passed away on May 26, 2024, with his family by his side.
    Leon was born on February 15, 1950, to LaVerna Young and Ferris "Babe" Casper in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leon was their only child. He has seven half-siblings. Leon's mother passed away when he was six years old. All of the family chipped in to help raise Leon. When he was 13 he went to live with Ron Hoover and Shirley Hoover Smith, she was like a mother to him, and gave him the nickname of “Toots.”
    Leon married Ginger Roberts in 1970. They had five children, Kristy, Rusty, Tony, Brandon, and Tracina. 
    He started working construction right out of high school, working with the crew that built the Starvation Dam. This was the beginning of his love for construction. He worked as one of the mole operators for the Central Utah Water tunnel projects. Leon's dream was to have his own business, and in the early 70's he sold five acres of ground in Fruitland to buy his first backhoe. That was the beginning of Leon & Son's Excavating. 
    Leon loved Rodeo, he even rode bareback in his younger days. He and Ginger had a standing date every 4th of July Celebration in Tabiona from the time she was in 9th grade. He loved kids and you could find him rough housing on the living room floor, helping coach Little League and High School Baseball, youth wrestling, and helping with the Little Buckaroo Rodeo.
    In his later years, his 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren were the joy of his life. He loved to plan family dinners and invite the whole clan and then let Ginger know who was coming and what was on the menu. He loved mom's good cooking; beef steak and fried taters were some of his favorites.
    Leon was passionate about the Tabiona Community, was always very generous, and liked to support the sporting programs, various fund raisers, and people in need. During the winter he spent much of his time plowing the driveways of neighbors and friends.  
    Leon was a Ford guy from day one, and one of his first cars was a 1968 Ford Mustang. He bought numerous Ford trucks over the years, and was always so proud of them. He loved to harass anyone who didn't drive a Ford. Most guys just poked fun about their trucks, but Leon took it very seriously and got into a few heated arguments with those Dodge guys. He was very particular about keeping them clean and in good working order. He liked to trade them in every two or three years so they kept their value. Leon loved Caterpillar equipment: a Caterpillar man thru and thru. He bled Cat yellow, and always said, “If it's not a Cat, it's a dog.”
    Leon is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ginger; his children, Kristy (Ryan) Jones, Rusty Casper, Brandon (Cassie) Casper, Tracina (Dave) Wilson; 13 grandchildren, Jasmine Nay, Laci Casper, Dusty Jones, Hunter Casper, Sadie Casper, Walker Casper, Roper Jones, Oaklee Casper, Tony Rae Casper, Denim Wilson, Ryker Wilson, Cheznie Casper, Chaynie Casper; five great grandchildren, Kollyns Nay, Kovey Nay, Ruxxton Jones, Kapri Douglas, & baby Jones on the way; sister, Karol McNeil, and sister-in-law, Carol Roberts.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tony Casper; siblings, Max (Idawna) Roberts, Evan "Jay" Roberts, Jay (Geri) Ashby, Fay (Blaine) Killian, Fern Richards (Doug) Kindservik, Grant McNeil, Glenda (Blaine) Marx; parents-in-law, Tracy & Lloyd “Snooks” Roberts; and brother-in-law, Al Roberts.
    Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Tabiona Cemetery. Per his wishes, there will not be a viewing or visitation prior to the service, but a celebration luncheon immediately following the service at the Tabiona Park. Everyone is invited to attend.
    Husband, dad, and grandpa, you left a big hole in each and every one of our hearts, and instilled in us just how important family is. We know you and Tony are having a great reunion on the other side. We think Tony and Walker had a little tug-of-war on the day you left us. Until we meet again, We Love You!