Thomas Verl Fuhriman Leishman

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Thomas Verl Fuhriman Leishman was called home in the early hours of 16 February 2024. He was able to fulfill his desire of departing this earth at his home on Green’s Corner, in Wellsville after his loving family returned to their perspective homes earlier that morning.

Thomas arrived into a growing family in Providence, Utah at his grandmother Caroline Bollschweiler Fuhriman’s home. He was taken home at 2 days old to his beloved Green’s Corner in Wellsville, Utah. It would be home to him throughout his life except the years spent serving church missions and his country.

Thomas was the second child and son born to Thomas Melvin Leishman and Anna “Mary” Fuhriman. 4 sisters and identical twin brothers would join the family. He had 2 older sisters and an older brother from his father’s first marriage. The term “Step” was never used in their home, they were in reality, family.

Thomas found attending school a challenge as he’d much rather be out running, climbing trees, riding a bicycle, chasing cows, riding horses or climbing on haystacks which he got in trouble for doing many times when he was young. His older sister, Lavona said that he was a bit of a stinker but with Carma taking care of Thomas’s older brother Arvin, it meant Thomas was her responsibility and she found him to be a handful but a lot of fun. He loved her beyond measure. 

Thomas graduated from Floradell Elementary and then South Cache High Class of 1952. He left on a 2 year mission in November 1954 to the North Central Mission. He was thrilled when President Nelson of The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced they were building a temple in Bismarck, N.D. When he had served there the meetings were held in a member’s home.

Upon his return from his mission in November 1955 he spent a few months at home and left for the U.S. Army on his sister-in-law, CarolAnn's birthday in March of 1957. Training in Fort Ord, California and posted at Fort Hood, Texas in the Infantry. He returned home in March 1959 with an honorable discharge and had an expert rating in handgun and rifle shooting.

On the 3rd of January 1958 Thomas married his sweetheart, Helen Bingham in the Logan Temple. They had 9 children and tragically after 26 1/2 years together Helen passed away. During their marriage he had worked at Thiokol for several years but wanted to spend less time on the road driving back and forth to work. On the 31st of May 1965 Tom Service was opened on the southeast corner of 4700 South & 89-91. The business was a family operated gas station, garage & towing service. Later a new structure was built on the southwest corner of the same intersection. They will be celebrating its 59th year in operation come this May.

Thomas was a firefighter for Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department for 34 years. He loved working the men and thoroughly enjoyed being Co-Captains with his dear friend, Arlyn Brenchley. It was a difficult decision to leave after discovering he had Neuropathy in both feet and legs. He was among the first to join the First Responders here in Cache Valley and had also been a member of the Lions Club. Thomas had no outside hobbies because working was his life. He never had one day that he didn’t want to go to work. He said if you didn’t enjoy your job, then you’re working in the wrong career. He loved our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. His testimony of their Gospel was continually developing throughout his life. Church on Sunday, reading scriptures as a family and family prayer was a daily occurrence. He held many positions in the church but his favorite was that as a Sunday School teacher.

In March of 1985 he went out on a blind date with a tall brunette introduced by a mutual friends of both. On his way home in a snowstorm that dumped 3 feet of snow through the night he thought to himself he'd found the one to become a mother to his 3 youngest daughters. She on the other hand had stated she wished him well and hoped he’d find someone half cracked to take on such a large family, and he did. He and Latitia K Tew were married on June 8th, 1985 in Ogden, Utah. Thomas also fell in love with her children and was later able to adopt them. Her stepson, Anthony was also able to spend time with the ever growing family.

Thomas & Latitia were blessed to serve a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2004-2005 in the Texas Fort Worth Mission. Their marriage was filled with activities with an ever growing family. Thomas began to have health issues and in 2022 was hospitalized and developed Covid. He was later sent home on Hospice. He fought hard and bounced back but after his 3 hospital stays he was called home. He and Latitia were looking forward to their 39th Anniversary and his 90th birthday coming up in June of this year.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters Carma Jensen, Lavona Watkins, & Ruth Brenchley Bingham and 3 brothers T Doyle, Arvin J, and Lloyd F Leishman. Also his wife, Helen B Leishman. He is survived by 3 sisters; Carolyn (Darryl) Anderson, Marie (Dee) Bosworth, Connie (Larry) Wade and 1 brother Lorin (Jimmie) Leishman, and his children Terrie (Dan) Ormond, Jeanette (David) Froelich, Jerald (Ramona) Leishman, Bonnie (Jeff) McBride, Diane (Zan) Hyer, Gaylene (Mark) Merritt, Nancy (David) Lorrigan, Nena (Jared) Copeland, Matthew Q (Sheri) Leishman, Tamera (Kyle) Jensen, Alisha (Dren) Anderson, & Anthony C Mutter. Also 47 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren with 3 more on the way.

We’d like to thank the staff at Cache Valley Hospital, Rocky Mountain Rehab Center, and CNS Home Healthcare & Hospice, especially Robert, Sean and Mike.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 23rd at 12 pm in the Wellsville Stake Center.  There will be a viewing held on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary and also on Friday from 10:00 - 11:30 am.  Arrangements will be under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. Military honors at the Wellsville Cemetery.  Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com