A gift that lasts forever Medallions and keychains for Christmas.
Sign in Shop
Portrait of Leonard Chitty
VETERAN
All roads lead to home!

Leonard Chitty

July 11, 1935 – August 11, 2017
Lived 82 years
Herriman City Cemetery · Herriman, UT
In service to country

Thank you for your service

Leonard served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.

Life story

Leonard Chitty, the man, the myth, the legend, born July 11, 1935 to Dorothy Chitty, who bravely raised this lovable rogue as a single mother in the East End of London. He led a colorful life, full of laughter, smiles and cursing. A snappy dresser, could dance a jig like no other, a singer of limerick lined tunes, an underappreciated chef and a curator of fascinating collections which he proudly displayed. A masterful story teller, who entertained friends and family alike with a keen memory of unsubstantiated details and questionable facts. A man loved by anyone that met him and who will never be forgotten. If Len were to tell it, he passed away on August 11, 2017 from what the government will try to tell you was a heart attack, but truly was from the lingering effects of a 1983 alien abduction. We heard many stories that began, "During the war..." which was a source of pride for Len, where in the service of his country in England, served in the British Army during the Suez Canal Campaign in Egypt, also known as the Forgotten War. He also served in the same artillery battery as his great-grandfather in the 49th Field Battery of the Royal Artillery.

The Chittys had many adventures, a particularly close family, living in Reading, England; Whangaparaoa, New Zealand; Peterborough, England; Salt Lake City, Utah in America and Bourn, England before settling back in America to be around their beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Len married the love of his life, Joan Edith Walker, on December 21, 1957 in London, England. Together they raised four children, Debbie Jackson (Jay), Ian Chitty (Helen), Dee Jackman (Larry) and Len Chitty, Jr. (ReNae). His Mum, Dorothy, one infant son, Matthew Stewart and his great-grandson, Desmond preceded him in death. Len and Joan also had a very special, honorary son, Kevin Cronkwright, who has been a part of our family for over 30 years. Besides being our Dad, he was Poppa to 33 grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he would want recognized individually and distinctly. Grandchildren; Jason Jackman, Jameson Jackson (Katie), Kaylee Bennett (Thane), Alycia Powell (Steven), Nicole Chitty (Adamm), Dallen Chitty (Anna), Albert Chitty (Alyssa), Parker Jackson (Beth), Devin Jackman, Paige Araiza (Miguel), Kelsey Chavez (Nick), Wesley Jackson, Colin Chitty (Chloe), Preston Chitty (Erin), Kimberly Campbell (Dustin) and Brenon Jackman. Great grandchildren; Packer Jackson, Kipling Jackson, Leo Powell, Eleanor Powell, Cloie Crystal, McKell Jackson, Jayse Jackson, Cohen Jackman, Sawyer Bennett, Isabelle Bennett, Addyson Bennett, Kamdyn Bennett, Anniston Chavez, Riley Winkelaar, Emma Chitty, Ellie Chitty and Desi Chitty. Poppa loved to wind up the children, create massive chaos and then say, "Cheerio!" His children and grandchildren adored him, each one using naughty words before they were two, were entertained by sock puppet shows with socks taken straight from his foot or letting them sneak sweets he shouldn't have from his secret hiding places.

Len was a proud citizen of both Britain and America, but truly English through and through. To our Del Boy, we promise to paint your monument with luminescent paint and now we can legitimately quote you by saying, "You know, Dad said on his deathbed, mark my words, your time will come!" As your time has come, we hope you, "...mind how you go." Not only did Old Spice lose a loyal customer, the mint gravy factory lower their flag to half-staff and Cadbury stock take a serious dive, we will always have a Poppa sized hole in our hearts. Start your Jolly Boy's outing, enjoy your joyous reunion with Nan, Grandad and Nan, Jack and Alice, our son, brother and Uncle Matthew, our Desi boy and all your cousins and aunties and uncles who are standing at the pearly gates waiting for you with a boisterous greeting! We are the sad ones that mourn your loss and anxiously anticipate our own reunion with you. Until we meet again, we will find comfort in the beautiful legacy you created in the supportive and crazy family you influenced before you left.

A graveside celebration will be held at the Herriman Cemetery, 12465 S Pioneer Street, 6000 W, Herriman, UT on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. Per Len's request, wear bright colors, no bloody black! Only laughter and a few tears, but speak up when you talk, he's a little hard of hearing.

Read the obituary
Photos
Photo book

Leonard’s life, in a printed book

We design every page from Leonard’s 84 photos. Make it yours, then order a copy for everyone who loved Leonard.

Lifetime

The world Leonard knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1935
Born July 11
1939
Leonard was 4 when "Gone with the Wind" premiered in Atlanta
1945
Leonard was 10 when the war in Europe ended on V-E Day
1959
Leonard was 24 when Barbie made her debut
1962
Leonard was 27 when the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war
1975
Leonard was 40 when Saigon fell, ending the Vietnam War
1981
Leonard was 46 when MTV began broadcasting
1994
Leonard was 59 when "Friends" premiered
2001
Leonard was 66 when Apple introduced the iPod
2010
Leonard was 75 when Apple's iPad went on sale
2017
Passed away August 11, age 82
Tributes and memories

27 memories shared

No account needed. Have one? Sign in

How are you connected to Leonard?
Joan Chitty 122w

Len

In London

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
1 comment
Joan ChittySeeing the poppies at the Tower of London
Joan Chitty 122w

Veterans Day

Jamesons family came to join us kn Veterans Day

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 122w

Veterans Day

Paying Tribute on Veterans Day

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 122w

Veterans Day

Memorial Flag

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 135w

He loved his dog Ben

The best dog in the world, at least in Len’s opinion

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 144w

Book of Remembrance

This is a picture Alan Lloyd sent me when he visited on 20 June

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 144w

Book of Remembrance

Second entry

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 145w

Book of Remembrance

The Book of Remembrance is at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium one page is turned each day, this one is on our anniversary December 21 every year

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 145w

He never left me

He always walks beside me

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 145w

Memorial

Memorial to Len

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 145w

St.George in the East

This is where daddy and i were married in 1957

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Joan Chitty 145w

Fun with Addy

Just before we moved in with Dee and Larry

0 comments
Joan Chitty 146w

Lifelong friends

With Johnny Farrow

Photo shared by Joan Chitty
0 comments
Deirdre Jackman 146w

Love my dad

I think this was at Paige’s wedding.

Photo shared by Deirdre Jackman
0 comments
Alycia Powell 146w

💖

He got Eleanor’s first smile💖

0 comments
Alycia Powell 146w

Leonard Trio

Leonard, Potty-mouth Len, Leo

Photo shared by Alycia Powell
0 comments
Alycia Powell 146w

A child himself

Always the best with the great grand babies

Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell Photo shared by Alycia Powell
0 comments
Anna Chitty 146w

Poppa Always kept everyone laughing

Poppa ALWAYS kept everyone laughing. The first time he met Desmond, we were in the Cardiac ICU and it was seriously scary. But Poppa had a way to make things light hearted and fun, even in the most stressful situations. Miss you and love you Poppa!

Photo shared by Anna Chitty
0 comments
Dallen Chitty 146w

Poppa loved marijuana

“Me and marijuana get on very well”

0 comments
Dallen Chitty 146w

Two gents!

Just two buds hanging out. Miss and love you poppa. Hope you are teaching des naughty tricks.

Photo shared by Dallen Chitty Photo shared by Dallen Chitty Photo shared by Dallen Chitty
0 comments
See all 27 memories
Family and friends

Help manage Leonard's memorial

Family members and close friends can help add photos, stories and moments from Leonard's life. Ask the family to add you.

Sign in to ask

Share Leonard's memorial

Invite family and friends to visit and add their own memories.