Robert Joe Leigh

ROBERT JOE LEIGH Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident Robert Joe Leigh will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 19 at the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Burial will follow at Cortez Cemetery. Visitation has been scheduled for Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to service time at the Legion. Joe was born on November 2, 1931 in Cortez the son of George Leslie and Alvina (Steckline) Leigh. He passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at Mercy Regional Medical Center at the age of 78. Joe enjoyed trips to the mountains with his family where they would fish, hunt and camp. Joe was always after the “Big Elk” when out hunting. In his younger years, Joe was a jockey and he spent a lot of time riding horses. He loved his grandchildren dearly, Joe was a wonderful grandfather. He also enjoyed working on cars. Surviving Joe are his children, Karen Stevens and husband, Marty of Cortez, Bill Leigh and Cheryl Turner of Cortez, Gary Leigh and Shawnda King of Cortez, Cynthia Martinez and husband, Louis of Cortez, Terry Leigh and Ed Hunter of Montrose, Colo., Jerry Leigh and wife, Bertha of Cortez, and Donnie Leigh of Cortez; and the mother of his children, Gladys Louise Perkins. Joe also leaves behind 20 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; his siblings, Archie Leigh of Cortez, Jack Leigh and wife, Connie of Cortez, Jerry Leigh of Florida, Johnny Leigh and wife, Bertha of Henderson, Nev., Jenny West and husband, Ope of Little Rock, Ark., and Larry Leigh and wife, Debbie of Albuquerque, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; by his sister, Bessy Leigh; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made in Robert Leigh’s name to Dolores State Bank.