Leon Eugene Stoddard (1933-2013) passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2013 in Lompoc, California. He was born on June 19, 1933 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Emory Stoddard and Nellie Hull. He was an Eagle Scout and served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 in Ethiopia. He graduated in 1966 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked as an electrical engineer for Raytheon and Hughes Aircraft Company in Goleta, California for 29 years retiring in 1999. As an engineer he was awarded one Patent. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as a full-time missionary to the New England area from 1959 to 1961. Leon moved with his wife Susie to Lompoc in 2007.
Leon was known for his love of photography, bicycles, cars, the outdoors and especially scouting. His passion was the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. He was regionally known as an expert in all things Pinewood Derby even designing and implementing an improved electronic gate system for use at the track finish line.
Leon is survived by his wife Susie Stoddard of Lompoc, sons: Mark Stoddard and wife Michelle of Owasso, Oklahoma; Curtis Stoddard of Lompoc; Colin Stoddard and wife Emmanuel of Jacksonville, Florida; daughters: Cherie Acosta and husband Chris of Friendswood, Texas; Julie Caldwell and husband Mark of Yuba City, California; Lesa Hogan and husband Shannon of Goodyear, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; brothers: Dale and wife Barbara of Lehi, Utah; Don and wife Nancy of Tualatin, Oregon. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1312 West Prune Ave. in Lompoc with Bishop Marc Miller presiding. Interment will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery with military honors.
Arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.
