Jeffrey Fritz Leyland

Jeffrey Fritz Leyland was born on July 3, 1951 in Patterson, New Jersey, the firstborn child of Percy and Geraldine (Gerber) Leyland.
When Jeff was three years old, the family moved to Avondale Estates, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible exploring and enjoying nature. He graduated from Avondale High and went on to attend college at different institutions in Georgia.
The family suffered a tragedy in 1974 when Jeff’s younger brother, David, was killed in a motorcycle accident. Jeff needed to distance himself from the pain of losing his only sibling, so he moved to Colorado to work on his aunt’s farm, then moved on to a job he loved, working for the Colorado Game and Parks.
Jeff met his future bride, Jo Ann Johnston. Jeff and Jo were married on Oct. 6, 1979, in Cope, Colorado. Soon after, the couple moved to Imperial where Jeff took a job as a service technician for Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas.
The couple welcomed their daughter Chelsea into their lives, closely followed by another daughter Shelby. Jeff loved being a father and was not the least bit disappointed to have two little girls. He taught them the things he loved – camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and anything else that could be done outside. He was a fun-loving dad with abundant patience for his children.
Jeff was a member of the Imperial Jaycees, Lions Club, Eagles Club and pistol and trap shooting clubs. He bowled on leagues for a number of years, but his favorite activities were associated with nature. In his later years, Jeff became an amateur astronomer. He loved to take his telescope out and spot constellations and would talk with anybody who would listen about the night skies. He joined an astronomy group in Lincoln and attended the Nebraska Star Party in Valentine every year.
After 26 years working for the gas company, Jeff retired from Kinder Morgan in 2006.
Jeff is survived by his wife Jo; daughters Chelsea Leyland (Jesse Kinkead) and Shelby Leyland (Stephen Reed) both of Seattle Washington; sister-in-law Jerrie (Jim) Wheaton of Haigler; nephews Adam and Brent Wheaton of Garden City, Kansas; and his brother from another mother, Steve Ward (Sherryl Lang) of Savannah, Georgia; along with several cousins.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Percy and Geraldine (Jerry) Leyland; brother David Leyland; and in-laws Kenneth and Clara Johnston.
Jeff passed from this life on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at the age of 71 years. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A memorial, in Jeff’s memory, has been suggested to the Jeff Leyland Memorial Fund, Branched Oak Observatory 14300 NW 98th Street, Raymond, NE 68428.
Following Jeff’s wishes, cremation was chosen with no visitation.
A celebration of life was held Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, 4 p.m. at the Broken Arrow Cellars Winery, Imperial.
Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.