Phillip Earl Leavitt
Nov. 19, 1946 - Dec. 29, 2022

Phillip Earl Leavitt was born on November 19, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to Nathan and Gertrude Leavitt. His family eventually moved to Gardena, Calif., where he attended grade school, Gardena High School and furthered his education at UCLA, where he majored inmMathematics. He was an outstanding scholar and was a member of the Mensa Society. He had a love and passion for math and science.

Over the years here he had many jobs but the one he enjoyed the most was working for a patent lawyer, where he would study and analyze patents day in and day out. Phil moved to Laguna Beach in the early 1970s, and this is where he met his soon-to-be wife Gail. They decided to move to an area less populated and both fell in love with beautiful Northern California. Carlotta became their home for over 40 years. He left for a short period of time to further his education at UC Berkeley in topology.

After coming back to Carlotta, Phillip and Gail wanted to start a family. This was Phillip’s biggest dream. In November of 1988 his first dream finally came true and they welcomed a baby boy, Nathan Samuel Lloyd Leavitt. Phillip was the best father a son could ever have. They played basketball, hiked, picked four-leaf clovers, went to hundreds of Sacramento Kings games together and went on many vacations together. His absolute favorite vacation was going to Trinity Lake every year and renting a houseboat.

In 2002 Phil and Gail opened a family business in Fortuna — Eel River Hydroponics — and Phil also started a fertilizer manufacturing company, Emerald Triangle/Humboldt County’s Own Products. The manufacturing company was where he got to put his love for math and science mixed with his patent research experience together to create some of the most unique liquid fertilizers the world has ever seen.

Phillip was also an active member in the Carlotta community. He served as the Chairman of the Community Service Board from 1998 to 2005. He played an instrumental role in the reform and reorganization of the Carlotta Volunteer Fire Department. His efforts helped turn the Carlotta Volunteer Fire Department into one of the very best volunteer fire departments in the dtate. He was also an active member in the Eureka Elks Lodge as well as the Ingomar Club.

A deep friendship enabled a peaceful divorce for Phillip in 2011. He met his partner Dawnda in 2016. They went on to have a relationship of countless fun times and endless laughter. They loved traveling the US and checking out new places together. Dawnda and Phil loved the idea of a big park-like garden so they could watch hummingbirds and other animals come visit. After countless hours of hard work that vision came to life at their home in Fortuna. They were looking forward to their future together and were dreaming of growing old together.

Phil always wished to have a big piece of property next to his son so that his grandkids could run over to visit him whenever they wanted to, and in early 2019 that wish came true and Phil and Nathan purchased their dream property together. The bond between father and son continued on to this day. Where they enjoyed drinking rare whiskies, watching Kings games, hanging out on the houseboat and running their business together. In September of 2020 Phil’s final family dream came true when his granddaughter Raylee Jane Leavitt was born. His heart absolutely melted the first time he got to hold her and you could see the love he had for her instantly. Phil would say time and time again how proud he was of his son and how perfect his little family was.

Phillip is survived by his partner Dawnda Berry, previous wife and mother of his son, Gail Leavitt; his beloved son, Nathan; his wife Jessica Leavitt (Castanos); granddaughter Raylee; siblings Richard Leavitt, Scott Leavitt (wife Janet), and Jennifer Tarling (husband Arnold); niece Alexis Fedor (Leavitt) and family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Nathan Leavitt, mother, Gertrude Leavitt and nephew, Travis Leavitt.

Phil’s celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 7, 2023 at the Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building at 2 p.m. Please come in casual attire or your best “Phil Casual” Tommy Bahama shirt!

In remembrance or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smile Train in the honor of Phillip Earl Leavitt.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Phillip Leavitt’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.