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Jim Leitzell


 

 

Artist Jim Leitzell passed away peacefully in his Greeley Hill home on June 4, 2019. When asked when he became an artist, Jim would answer, “All my life!” He was a prolific artist and has left a collection of magnificent art work.

Jim was born in March 1944 in Dinuba, Calif., to parents James and Rosie Leitzell. He was a loving older brother to Lovie Leitch, who survives him. He moved to Sacramento and graduated from McClatchy High School in 1962.

After high school, he earned a BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He started a family with his first wife, Holly, having two daughters, Chandra and Katie, and moved back to Sacramento. He worked as the graphic designer for the CBS News program at Channel 10 in Sacramento. He also painted large abstract paintings, of which there are many.

He is survived by his loving daughters, Chandra and Katie; grandchildren, Max, Eve, Ruby, Nina and Rosie; his second wife, Dawn; stepson, Daniel; and step-grandson, Sebastian.

He gained a Masters Degree in Fine Art from California State University Sacramento, and had several art exhibitions in Sacramento and was co-founder of the 750 Gallery.

In 1997, Jim and Dawn moved to Greeley Hill, Calif., where Jim worked as an art teacher with Columbia Community College. Jim became a volunteer firefighter with the Mariposa County Fire Department. Besides art, Jim’s passions were singing and playing the guitar. He sang in two choirs, The Gold Country Singers and The Pine Cone Singers, and he was in the band, Geri and the Atrics.

Our family would like to thank the residents of Greeley Hill and surrounding communities and Jim and Dawn’s longtime friends and family who have so generously donated to Jim’s GoFundMe account.

A private memorial was held at home for family and a community potluck Celebration of Life will be held at the Community Hall in Greeley Hill on July 21, 2019 from noon to 3 p.m.

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