Charles "Chuck" Dwayne Leitner

Charles “Chuck” Dwayne Leitner

March 30, 1952 – May 17, 2023

Charles “Chuck” Dwayne Leitner, 71, of La Junta entered into rest Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Memorial North Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado surrounded by his loving family. He was born Friday, March 30, 1952, in Oberlin, Kansas to Berdeen Caster.

He spent his younger years moving around Kansas and Nebraska, as his grandfather-built Grain Elevators. The family settled in Lincoln Nebraska.

In 1965 he placed first in the National Soap Box Derby. He graduated from Lincoln High School, Lincoln Nebraska in 1970. On November 24, 1971, he married his high school sweetheart Deborah Bade, four children were born into this union. In November of 2022 they celebrated 51 years of marriage. He graduated from Southeast Community College in Milford Nebraska in May of 1972.

Before he settled in La Junta Colorado in 1992, with his family, they lived in Montebello Colorado, Casper Wyoming, Thornton and Commerce City Colorado, Irving Texas, and Aurora Colorado. While in La Junta he was very active in Boy Scouts, attending events for his children and grandchildren. He also coached little league baseball when his boys were young. He retired from the Colorado Department of Transportation as a mechanic after 26 years. He enjoyed going to the rifle range with children and grandchildren.

Chuck is survived by his wife Deborah Leitner of the La Junta home; mother, Berdeen Lawrence; children, Tina Leitner of La Junta; Joy (Dual) Cox of Lincoln, NE; David (Becca) Leitner of Colorado Springs, CO; Dale (Veronica) Leitner of La Junta; and son-in-law, Ryan Willhoite; grandchildren, Kate, Jacob & Nikki Willhoite; Aaron Cox; Audrey & Jackson Leitner; and Alice & Derek Leitner; siblings, Robert “Bobby” Gilbert; Eva Studebaker; & Penny Flournoy; special Aunts who felt more like sisters, Donna Driewer, Linda Sneff, & Lois Bare; Brothers and sisters-in-laws, too many cousins to count, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, last but not least, his dog Noel. He is preceded in death by his father Roy Lawrence; brother, Larry Lawrence; sisters, Betty Gilbert & Ruthie Thogerson.

A Celebration of Chuck's Life will take place Friday, June 2, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Rocky Ford in the Fellowship Hall at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to his family home or through the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. 

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.