Leon Breckenridge

Leon Breckenridge, 93, Spokane, Wash., passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

He was born to Harold and Esther (Atchison) Breckenridge on September 10, 1931, in Beloit, Kansas. He married Virginia Boulanger on November 23, 1952, at the United Brethren Church in Woodston, Kansas. They enjoyed 72 years of marriage and lived in seven different states. 

Leon was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He and Virginia loved to travel and many times took their grandchildren with them. Leon and Virginia built a house in Gridley, Kansas. He loved to do woodworking (such as the one-of-a-kind ping pong table he built), gardening, camping, fishing, and was an avid reader.

Leon graduated from Woodston Rural High School in 1949, and was the Valedictorian of his senior class. He attended York College in Nebraska, the University of Kansas, UCLA, the University of Southern California, Santa Monica College, Colorado State University, and Central Washington College.

He worked in the aerospace industry for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, Calif., and Beech Aircraft in Boulder, Colo., as well as in the private sector. He was the Engineering Manager and Assistant to the Director of the Physical Plant at Central Washington College. He also worked for various companies in the energy conservation field and then started his own business, offering total facility energy and process economics consultation services. During that time, he developed a patent for lumber drying and two patents for biogas digesters.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Esther Breckenridge; a brother and sister-in-law, Don and Helen Breckenridge; a sister-in-law, Opal Breckenridge; a grandson, Jackson Breckenridge; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sylven and Murten Hartzler.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia; one daughter, Cathy Calhoon; a son, Kent Breckenridge (Debe); two brothers, John Breckenridge and David Breckenridge (Marcia); five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial is planned for July 19, 2025, at his son's home.

Memorials are suggested to Hearts In Motion at https://heartsinmotion.org/Donate-22.htm.