Pastor Leon alden

Pastor Leon was born in Elma, Washington and has lived in Washington State all his life except when attending seminary in Kansas City, MO.  His father was a pastor in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference for more than 30 years.

Leon retired from Pioneer UMC in Walla Walla in 2006 and then, in retirement, undertook ministry in small congregations in Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon. Before moving to the west coast at the insistence of Bea’s son, David, who said driving for five hours each way for a visit was unnecessary since we were retired. 

Leon’s non-professional interests have included running fundraising marathons for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  In the ten marathons and six half marathons he has run for the Society, he was blessed with wonderful supporting donors so that his total fundraising for research was over  $70,000.  Leon’s first marathon was one month before he turned 60 years of age.  When in the ‘running mode’ he loves the good feelings that It gives his body AFTER the first mile or two when everything settles into a routine.

Leon has also worked with Habitat for Humanity, and one time was the Construction Manager for a home built in Eastern Washington. Leon fell into that good work with the extensive training from his father who was often leading church remodeling or new extension building projects with the parishes he served over the years.  

Pastor Leon is father to two sons, Jeff and Tim, and also stepfather to Bea’s son, David, and daughter, now deceased, Jane.  Leon and Bea are celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary on June 18..