Leonard Allen Darsow, 85

On Sept. 1, 2020, Leonard (Len) Allen Darsow, 85, died with his children by his bedside in Gig Harbor, Wash.

Len fought a courageous battle with cancer for more than eight years. In the final months of his life, he brought his children, their spouses and his grandchildren together from Washington, California and Alaska to spend some precious time with him. This was a true gift that will always be treasured.

Len was born June 4, 1935, at home in Half Moon to Wilhelm (Bill) and Jerolin (Jerry) Darsow. He had three brothers, two older and one younger. He loved retelling stories from his childhood of all the mischief and antics he and his brothers got into. He grew up on a farm in Libby. He enjoyed the farm life and won various ribbons at the county fair for critters he helped raise as well as for the pies he learned to bake under the tutelage of his mother.

He graduated from Libby High School in 1953. He worked during most of his high school years at the local dry cleaners and he saved enough money to put himself through college. He received his degree in petroleum engineering from the Montana School of Mines in Butte in 1958. During his college years, he enjoyed playing both varsity hockey and football. One of his claims to fame was that he played college hockey against Evel Knievel.

Len worked for Amoco Oil Production (today known as BP Exploration) from 1958 to 1992. He prided himself on having worked with the same company his entire career. His job required lots of traveling and several moves. He had the pleasure of living and working in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Florida and Washington. He retired from Amoco in 1992 as president and general manager of Amoco Trinidad Oil Company.

Len was very dedicated to his staff at Amoco and to the surrounding community. He was considered to have exceptional integrity and was an excellent role model and leader. He was well liked, looked up to — and respected — by his colleagues.

On June 3, 1960, he married his first wife, Joyce Marie Kilian. They raised their two children, Kari and Todd. Once their children were grown and off to college, they were amicably divorced. He married his second wife, Alison Carr-Brown, on Dec. 18, 1987, after meeting her while living in Trinidad. They were happily married for many years until her untimely death on Nov. 4, 2004. He married his third and current wife, Christine Giampietro, on Sept. 9, 2009.

Leonard was a devoted Missouri Synod Lutheran and enjoyed attending church and volunteering his time helping the pastor with sermons, communion, ushering and teaching Bible classes. He was known for his quick wit, infectious laugh, sense of humor and his boundless generosity. He enjoyed entertaining, especially while living in Trinidad.

Those lucky enough to visit him there got treated to Trinidad’s famous Carnival, steel pan drum music, the flight of the scarlet ibis, glorious beaches, amazing Trini food (roti, shark and bake, and rum punch) and fetes with the family.

He also enjoyed entertaining friends and family at his home in Rocky Bay of Gig Harbor, Wash. His children and grandchildren loved visiting him there and going on walks along the beach looking for sea stars, sand dollars and shells; participating in fireworks displays over the Fourth of July; playing pool; and taking soaks in the hot tub. Len made sure there were plenty of fun things to do.

Hunting and fishing were among Len’s hobbies. He especially delighted in the many fishing trips he and his son, Todd, went on over the years. He cherished all his family and was known for sending birthday cards to everyone in his extended family without fail. He was affectionately known as “the favorite brother” or “the favorite uncle” by many.

He will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved him, and most especially by his devoted children, Kari and Todd.

Len was preceded in death by his father, Bill; his mother, Jerry; his older brother, Norm; and his wives, Joyce and Alison. His youngest brother, Rich, passed away just a day after Len.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; his children, Kari (spouse Ed) and Todd (spouse Dina); his grandchildren, Jack, Trent and Shane; his stepchildren, Ryan and Sarah; his brother, Don, and sister-in-law Bev; his sister-in-law, Thelma; and several nieces and nephews as well as their spouses and children.

Arrangements were handled by Dignity Memorial. Online condolences and memories can be shared at dignitymemorial.com. Len’s ashes were shipped to Sarasota, Fla., where he is resting peacefully next to his second beloved wife, Alison. Owing to COVID-19, a memorial service has been postponed until a future date can be determined, at which time family and friends will be notified.

Rest in peace Len, dad, grandpa — we love you!