Leon Wendell Blacker, 66, Nampa, passed away Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at a local care center.  Leon was born Oct. 12, 1936, in Rupert to Thomas LeRoy and Hida Mary Widdison Blacker. He attended Pioneer Grade School,  and Rupert High School, graduating in 1954. After high school he attended Ricks College and Utah State University.  He served an LDS mission to the Fiji Islands from 1959-1961.

He married Judy Ann Hanks on May 19, 1961, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1963 with a degree in Agricultural Economics.  After his graduation he was employed by Amalgamated Sugar Co.. He began as a fieldman in the Mini-Cassia area in 1964.  In 1976 he was transferred to the Nampa factory as Agricultural Manager, and worked there until 1999 when he retired.

Leon was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as 1st Counselor in the Rupert 2nd Ward Bishopric, Bishop of the Nampa 10th Ward (1979-1984), High Priest Group Leader, a Young Men's teacher, member of the High Council and he served in the Stake Sunday School Presidency.

Leon and Judy are the parents of six children: Bruce (Lynne) of Parker, Texas, Alan (Marie) of Alpine, Utah, LeAnn (Roland) Gammill of Nampa, Mark (Jana) of Nampa, Becky (Wayne) Funk of Murtaugh and David (Sara) of Nampa.

He is survived by his wife Judy, his six children and 15 grandchildren.  Also, surviving him is a brother, Royal of Hazelton, three sisters: Arlene Koyle of Heyburn, LaRae Thompson of Clarkston, Wash., and Louise Wilson of Boise.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lola Jean Blacker.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept.. 18, in the Nampa South LDS Stake Center., 7809 Deer Flat Road.