Obituary
Kathy Leathers passed away Sunday morning, April 28, 2024 at her home in Chandler, Arizona. Her husband Ron Richardson was by her side. She is finally at peace, after a short battle with ovarian cancer.
Kathy was born December 8, 1955 in Portland, Oregon, to her mother Lila, and father, Brent Mattox. Lila’s mother Willie called Kathy a ‘blue baby’ because she started life with the umbilical cord rapped around her throat, requiring a Caesarean birth.
Kathy lived most her life in the Portland area, primarily the East County area. She worked for the family corporation known as “Leathers Fuels” most of her life, becoming one of the owners in 2010, and President in 2022. Kathy was proud to work with her family and key staff, and was known for her math abilities, perfection, speed with a ten-key, and working long hours whenever necessary.
Beyond being a business owner, Kathy served on the Board of the Oregon Petroleum Fuel Marketers’ Association, and for many years, as a ‘green coat’ at the annual POC conference in Reno.
Gregarious by nature, she was typically the promoter and center of laughter and having a good time. She put other people at ease, and could always find the words to help people relax and smile. Her habit of singing songs spontaneously was a signature personality trait.
She was an avid golfer, along with husband Ron. Many of their vacations were centered around trying out a new or famous golf course. They liked to travel, and ‘road trips’ were always welcomed. Together, they also had a love for animals, particularly German Shepherds and quarterhorses. Kathy was adept at training her Shepherds to be disciplined and skilled; most recently “Tuxedo” was her prized companion.
In high school at Estacada, Kathy had many achievements. She was valedictorian of her class, named the State Student of the Year, and won the State Championship with her volleyball teammates.
Kathy owned a vacation home in Sunriver, and more recently, in Chandler, Arizona. She and Ron are outstanding hosts that welcomed many guests into their homes. Playing card games and building jigsaw puzzles were a few of her passions that guests frequently participated in. Kathy was competitive, a natural at almost everything, and renowned for winning most of the time.
Kathy was compassionate, and known for giving financial support to many causes, most importantly her friends and their children.
Kathy is survived by her husband Ron Richardson, and her brother Brent Leathers, along with many other precious relatives, and countless friends. Her mother Lila passed away November 1, 2022. Kathy would want all her friends, extended family, and anyone who ever worked at “Leathers” to know how much she loved them.
A memorial service will be held for Kathy at Grace Crossing Bible Church in Estacada on Saturday, May 25th at 2:00 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider a contribution to the Lila Skipper Foundation, a charitable organization named in honor of Kathy’s mother that specializes in providing tuition to disadvantaged children in the Sandy area. Donations can be made via Clackamas County Bank.