Leonard Sydney “Syd” Dearborn was greeted in heaven on the afternoon of March 19, 2021. He was born on September 28, 1944 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Leonard and Hilda Dearborn. A sister joined the family almost 4 years later. In 1956 the family moved to Flagstaff, AZ after living in multiple locations in New Mexico. Syd graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1962.
Syd loved cars and enjoyed tinkering with and restoring them. He had a car detail and a body shop. He drove a gas tank truck between Flagstaff and Phoenix for many years, with occasional trips to New Mexico. He enjoyed driving through the Navajo reservation at night. He often commented on the beautiful, peaceful sky. Syd was proud of his truck and would show it to anyone who looked at it. A few years later he was a driver for Fed Ex transporting packages to Tucson. A shoulder injury forced early retirement.
He had a fondness and considerable talent for leatherwork. Many are blessed to have received one of his pieces as a gift. Horseshoe art creations as well as drawing and painting were other activities that he enjoyed. And he loved his books, especially those by Louis L’Amour and Tony Hillerman.
Syd is survived by his daughter Charylle Wolfe (Justin) from Flagstaff, AZ, and son Thomas Dearborn (Traci) from Phoenix, AZ. Grandsons Kyan, Levi, Jordan and Jennifer; Sister Anne Mullen of Phoenix, AZ; Niece Erin Jaykins (Dave) from Peoria, AZ and 2 nephews, David Mullen (Mindy Gionet), also from Peoria, AZ, and Steven Mullen (Cristin) from Phoenix, AZ; 5 great nieces, Morgan, Meya, Topanga, McKenna and Avery along with 3 great nephews, Matthew, Sean and Mason.
When Syd moved to the Verde Valley, he met Judy Dobbs, who became the love of his life. Syd inherited Judy’s 4 daughters and has been her father for the past 16 years: Amanda Walts (Marvin Sheedy) from Utopia, TX, Sabrina K. Thompson (Chad Beck) from Cottonwood, AZ, Samantha VanLeuven (Brian) from Idaho Falls, ID, and Candice Thompson of Cottonwood, AZ .; 16 grandchildren, Michael, Damien, Celsey, Kaleb, Alex, Sophia, Addie, Aidan, Riley, Brody, Abrya, Trey, Tara, Lucille, Kaydince and 3 great-grandchildren, Ava, Sadie and Violet. Judy preceded Syd in death by 49 days.
Syd was loving with granddaughters from a previous marriage, Rileene and Nicole Bustos, who live in UT, and nephew Josiah “Joe” Jones of Cottonwood, AZ.
Friends Greg Voit, Doug and Carol Hulse, and Claire Barnes provided constant love and support.
Celebrate with us on April 10, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Clarkdale Baptist Church, 1051 SR-89A N, Clarkdale, AZ 86324.
Published by Arizona Daily Sun on April 4, 2021.
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