Harry Joseph Ledbetter

Harry Joseph Ledbetter…. This is where our cowboy rides away… On April 3, 2022 Harry left his home in Herriman, Utah to go to the big corral in the sky and scoop his sweetheart Joan up into his tractor, so the two of them can ride together again, (it’s always been “Harry & Joan” you didn’t have one without the other). We will forever remember their infectious laugh. Harry started his ride in this life with his mom and pop, Dorothy Luzetta Parr and Joseph Henry Ledbetter in Saratoga, Wyoming on October 15, 1938. (We believe he was born with a cup of sheep-herders coffee in his hand, where it has stayed for the rest of his life.) After spending the first part of his youth in Saratoga, Wyoming the family found themselves down the trail into Utah. This cowboy joined the U.S. Army in 1955, where he served proudly. Wanting to be like his hero John Wayne, he joined the Sherriff’s Mounted Posse, where he showcased his horsemanship skills riding in the parades. Harry traded in his 4-legged ride for a 4 wheeled “horse powered” ride. No regrets, because this car helped him to meet the true love of his life, the cutest little filly he had ever seen – Joan Lee Bird, he made her his wife on December 15, 1962, so they could start their own little herd. Beginning with Rex and then 3 years later adding Tim. Every cowboy needs his faithful dog by his side and Harry had several. He especially loved his St. Bernard’s (the bigger the better) Neal was his first St. Bernard, but Moose was his drinking buddy. You learned quickly, if you ever had a beer, you better have another one to share with Moose. His love for being a rancher and horseman never left him. He worked on several ranches in the valley and worked hard at showing his calves at the fair. The cowboy in him, brought him back to his horses, so with the help of Kay Bendixson, of the Utah State extension service and his oldest sister Genevieve, Harry and Ted got involved with the 4-H Horse clubs. Serving as President of the 4-H horse club for many years. Harry loved working with the kids in 4-H. Through his service he got to know and love so many kids in the program. He passed his love and knowledge of horses down to his 2 sons Rex and Tim. Then he taught the boys the right way to raise award winning steers (sometimes with the toe of his size 9 boot). His 2 young buckaroos grew up fast. Rex ventured off to marry Loa Dawn, settling down in Riverton, Utah and they showered him with the joy of adding 3 more buckaroo grandchildren to his herd. He again, passed on his love of horses to his 2 oldest grandsons, Russell (stick in the mud) and Bryce (hawn yawk). Together they broke and trained a mustang named Sierra Rose for them to be part of the 4-H horse program that he loved so much. Harry treated his horses better than the kids. (Lol). Always bringing the horses into the house to feed them their treats. (He probably would have let them live in the house if he thought he could get away with it.) Because his youngest grandchild was the maverick of the herd (Matt), he shared a different love and passion with Matt. This passion was one he had acquired throughout his years of working construction and using heavy equipment and tractors. He put Matt in the tractor with him every chance he got letting him drive. Harry talked a lot about being in the back-hoe rodeos and playing golf with the back-hoe. His herd has not stopped growing, his oldest grandson Russell married Jessica making their corral in Grandpa’s hometown of Herriman, Utah. They added, Karl, Kylee and Kenzlee to Harry’s growing herd. Bryce went to his grandpa’s favorite state of Wyoming and settled in Casper, Wyoming, marrying Chuy (Jesus) and rounding out his herd with Clayton and Elianna. Harry has joined his mom, pop and most of his siblings: Genevieve, Russell, Pearl (Virginia), Myrtle, Jim (James), Chuck (Charles), Dick (Richard) and a baby sister Rachel, brother-in-law's, sister-in-law's, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and many more who have gone on before him. Leaving Jerry and Ted with their spouses as the last 2 surviving siblings. Harry has worn many different hats. (Without ever taking off his Cowboy Hat.) Those hats have been: Son, Husband, Father, Uncle, Friend and Mentor. Though he tried to be a rough tough cowboy, we all know he was just a little pussy cat inside. The last year of his life, he Cowboy’d-up and showed the VA Dr’s when they only gave him a couple of weeks to live, just how tough “this old cowboy” really was. He lived for a little over a year after that. His son, Tim took on the hard task of trying to wrangle him in and take care of our stubborn Old Cowboy. Tim’s greatest help was a little cowhand nurse from the VA Hospice. Amber you are the Best and we can not thank you enough! Tim, thanks for taking caring of our Harry. We will always carry with us Harry’s own version of “Cowboy Logic” and “his pick yourself up by your boot straps” attitude. We say good-bye for...... “This is the Last Cowboy’s song” and now there is 1 more....... “Empty Saddle in the Old Corral” We will have a graveside round-up to say a final farewell to Harry on April 23, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at the Pleasant Green Cemetery 9200 W. 3500 S. Magna, Utah. In Honor of Harry, If you have a Cowboy hat please wear it to the graveside. After the graveside services we will follow up with a picnic lunch at the Herriman Main Street Park 13000 South 5900 West Herriman, Utah. Where we will try to carry on those beloved family gatherings and share more memories of Harry and Joan. We will have pulled pork sandwiches and whatever pot luck dish anyone wants to bring to share with everyone.

Harry Joseph Ledbetter

October 15, 1938 - April 3, 2022