Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend of many passed away on Monday, January 16, 2018. He was born in Centralia, Wash. on October 25, 1921, and lived a long and fruitful life.

Walter graduated from high school in Beatty, Ore. and soon after joined the US Marine Corps, serving as a Tank Crewman/Light Truck driver in the Asia-Pacific Area during the battle of Guadalcanal. He was honorably discharged from service in 1945.

Walter — “ Walt” or “Bud,” as he was known to many — was a head sawyer by trade, starting out in Oregon, working in Idaho and New Mexico and throughout Humboldt County in many mills from Alderpoint, to Hoopa, Salyer and Fortuna. Dad was always proud of the fact that not once did he have to go looking for a job — the sawmills were always looking for him to come and saw their logs.

At the age of 65 he retired from the mill industry and embarked on a 20-year career tending bar at the Bigfoot Golf and Country Club in Willow Creek, where many a drink was served and many a story was told.

Walter met his wife Gloria in San Diego. They were married in 1944, and they shared 59 years of marriage until Gloria passed in 2003.

Walter is survived by four of his five children — Jim and Sue McLeod of Easley, S.C.; Johnny and Jean McLeod of Florence, Mt.; Shirley and Rob Foley of Eureka; Ginger and Rich Barber of Blue Lake; his grandchildren, Nonie Oliver, Rob Foley, Ada Dory, Marla Jackson, Doug McLeod, Tina Cole, Tommy McLeod, Kevin McLeod and Lisa McLeod; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gloria, his oldest son Buddy McLeod and all of his brothers and sisters.

Walter will be remembered as a man of honesty and integrity who loved his family and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a fisherman and an avid bowler. He loved to play golf and was always up for a good cribbage game. You could not have asked for a better man and he will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

We would like to thank Timber Ridge of Eureka for their help in caring for our father during the last year, and also Hospice of Humboldt. At his request there will be no services. Donations can be made in honor of Walter McLeod to Hospice of Humboldt 3327 Timber Fall Court, Eureka, CA 95501.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Walter McLeod’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.