Gustavo (Gus) Leon was born January 27, 1931 in Bingham Utah to Jose and Lisa Leon. Gus Married Gladys Leland on April 7, 1956 in Wendover Nevada. Gus is survived by his Wife Gladys Leon, Daughter Lori Willis, Son Jeffery Leon(Linda), Daughter Brenda Priest, Son Gustavo A Leon Jr(Michelle), Daughter Rebecca Burns (Dave) brother Art Hurtado, Sisters Beatrice Godina, Lil White, and Charla Lopez (Ben) and 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Gus was preceded in death by his brothers Fred Leon, Alex and Pancho (Ralph) Hurtado.
Gus was a professional Boxer when he was 14 years old and helped his mother support the family of 8 children, during his boxing career he fought and beat Gene Fulmer who went on to be the middle weight champion. Gus had a long distinguished career in the Utah Army National Guard he went from a private (E1) to 1SGT (E8) then from a 2LT (O1) to COL (O6) with 30 years of service. Gus was one of the original soldiers recruited from the 115th Engineer Battalion to start the 19th Special Forces Group in 1956. Gus was also one the first National Guard members to attend Special Forces Officer Course at Fort Bragg North Carolina. Gus returned to active duty tour as a National Guard Adviser to the 18th Airborne Corps, United States Army in 1969 at Fort Bragg, NC. Further assignments included service to 5th Army at Fort Sam Houston (Texas), the Presidio of San Francisco (California), Heidelberg (Germany) Headquarters US Army Europe and VII Army, Fort McPherson (Georgia). Gus retired in 1985 and settled in Sandy, Utah.
Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 8, 2018 beginning at 11 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 9757 South 1700 East in Sandy with the family greeting at 10:30AM prior. A viewing will be held Friday evening at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) in Sandy beginning at 6PM, Rosary services at 7PM. Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Salt Lake City. Luncheon following services at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.