Brad Leatham

In the darkness of the night, Brad Leatham took his sweetheart Carol’s hand in his and after one last “I love you,” slept. He rose before an October 22nd dawn to heavenly embraces from his parents, brother Dan, son Scott, and so many, many others. His gentle farewell befitted a life dedicated to serving, protecting, and helping others. His final words to one family member? “Take care of my wife.”
Bradley S. Leatham was the first child born to Lennis Leatham and Della Marie Sharp (wed in 1945). Born May 6, 1948, in Rexburg, Idaho, Brad barely survived a rare and dangerous delivery complication. Sons Bruce and Dan, born in Idaho Falls, and sister Carol, born in Sparks, Nevada, completed the family. He was a caring son and especially looked out for his mother who had MS and passed away when Brad was in his early 20’s.
When six-year-old Brad contracted polio, his mother Marie spent hours each day in therapy with him. He recovered well, but with residual damage to his foot and calf. As a result, sports weren’t a big part of his growing up years, though he liked baseball. He was a quiet, if not remarkable student and didn’t do a lot as a boy scout, but he always had friends – which can be said of his entire life. He always made and kept good friends. He graduated from high school in 1966, and one year later, entered missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Brad served an impactful mission in New Zealand from 1967 - 1969, bringing many to Christ and baptism. Hundreds were ultimately blessed by his efforts, and he developed a lifelong love for the Islander people that led to his attending the Church College of Hawaii, August of 1969 through May of 1971. There he met Carolyn Wise and they married in the Oakland temple in November of 1971.
The young couple moved to Provo, Utah in 1972 so Brad could earn a law enforcement degree at Brigham Young University. Daughter Janell was born the next year, and by 1980 Kyle, Shauna, Ryan, and Eric had joined the family. Scott arrived in 1985 and later followed his father’s footsteps as a first responder, becoming a firefighter. Sadly, he preceded his father in death, succumbing to cancer in 2024, leaving behind his wife Ashley and two children, Kayden and Kali.
Brad and Carolyn’s marriage ended in 1987. In the fall of 1988, Brad met Carol Ursenbach Schreiber, who had three daughters of her own, Tristyn, Megan and Jaymee. Immediately attracted to each other, their relationship quickly turned to love, and they were sealed in the Manti Temple on April 4, 1989. They shared over 37 years together filled with adventure and devotion. Carol is so grateful for and deeply misses Brad’s constant kindness towards her – “He never told me what to do and loves me forever.”
Brad began his 30-year career working for the Provo Police Department as a full-time reserve officer in 1975. Two years later, he applied for a position as a police officer. No one told him he’d won the job…a policeman just showed up at his home on his first day of work wondering why he was late. As a patrolman, he handled traffic enforcement, and his children loved joining him in his squad car as he worked Independence Day, especially when he’d hit the lights and sirens. They also remember fun shooting range parties and egg hunts.
Brad advanced in the department through the years, working as the Detective Division Commander, going undercover in narcotics (“My Dad does drugs!” six-year-old Shauna once proudly announced at school) and gang enforcement. He knew many of the families involved because of his care for the Islander community. As he once ‘busted’ a young man for graffiti, he heard a tentative, “Brother Leatham?” ‘Brother Leatham’ handled the situation with firmness and a gentle humor. He later became a bomb technician and even used hypnosis in his work. Brad spent his last few years on the force as captain. Former police officers and friends, many who visited Brad over the past few weeks described him as a great man to work with, and one who always ‘had their back.’
After retiring from the Provo Police Department, Brad was hired by the BYU Police. In his career, he also provided security for Kmart and for the Osmond Studios.
In 2002, Brad handled bomb security for the Winter Olympics and used his earnings to purchase a long-desired police-model Harley. Brad and Carol made many motorcycle trips through-out the west, often with best friends Kory and Kelly.
His children recall the family spending a lot of time outdoors, going on camping trips, hiking, and enjoying exploring adventures. They were free to roam until they heard their father whistle. At times they felt pressure to be ‘extra good’ because their father was not only a policeman but at one point, in a bishopric. He was a loving father who often reached out to his adult children and gave good counsel.
Brad was an avid fisherman and spent hours on Deer Creek reservoir, often with his father. He also loved Alaska fishing trips, first taking his dad, and later joining Steve and Brent and “the boys” on these adventures, creating life-long bonds. He always wanted to catch the first fish, the most fish and the biggest fish and often succeeded. He took up woodworking and made beautiful pens, wooden boxes, and other gifts. He loved outdoor cooking and time with family.
Brad dealt with physical ‘challenges’ quietly and with humor. His weakened foot never kept him from excelling at police work. He was an avid adult scouter, active in Wood Badge and earned a silver beaver. He didn’t often wear shorts because of his underdeveloped calf, but heat made it a necessity on one hiking trip. As they made their way up a trail, a young scout suddenly exclaimed, “What happened to your leg?” Brad looked down at it in mock surprise, “I don’t know! It was fine this morning!” He quietly played off his tendency for motion sickness on fishing trips by always sitting upfront…be it in a plane, boat, or van.
Brad’s upbringing by parents with absolute faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ helped lead to HIS unshakable faith and directed the course of his life. He and Carol felt blessed to serve as temple workers in both the Provo temple, and later, the Red Cliffs Temple. They loved everything about their church mission to Brad’s beloved Hawaii, serving in Hana for 13 months, until the pandemic necessitated an early return.
Brad was (and is) a good man. He was a protective ‘gentle giant’ with an easy sense of humor and smile. One could also make the case for him being an adrenalin junkie (legally) with all he did in the police force, and in his life. His children view him as the most honest man they ever knew…describing their father as being loyal, loving, fearless, compassionate, honorable, and incredibly patient. He was a great example and SHOWED how things were to be done. There were no gray areas in his life. There was right and there was wrong. Yet he met the imperfections of others with kindness and understanding…and an occasional direct ‘talking to.’
Brad was blessed with an overwhelming peace when he learned that his life was nearing its end. His faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Redeemer was absolute. Because Christ lives, HE would live again. He was grateful for visits from so many friends and family in his last weeks and was so pleased to see them, even if they were sick (“What do I have to lose?”). He is already so missed.
Brad is survived by his wife Carol, children Janell (Adam Cerkvenik) Kallas, Kyle Leatham, Shauna (Mark) Murray, Ryan Leatham, Eric (Sara) Leatham, Tristyn (Ben) Duffy, Megan Schreiber, and Jaymee (Joe) Young, brother Bruce Leatham, sister Carol Leatham Abildskov, 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren as well as in-laws, cousins and many cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dan, son Scott, and son-in-law Matthew Underwood. The family wishes to thank the staff at Courtyard at Jamestown and Ovation Hospice, and in particular Jordan and Casey for their attentive care in the final weeks of Brad’s life.

There will be a viewing at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 555 East 3230 North, Provo, Utah on the evening of Friday November 6, 2026, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and again on Saturday morning, November 7, 2026, in the same location from 9:30 – 10:45 am. Funeral Services are at 11:00 – 12:00 pm. Interment at East Lawn Cemetery.