Douglas Allen Leatham

Douglas Allen Leatham, 87, of Idaho Falls, passed away on October 21, 2026, at his home due to complications associated with age.

Doug was born September 6, 1939, at LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls to Harold Garrett Leatham and Florence Anderson Leatham. He was raised on a farm west of Shelley until the age of sixteen, when he moved with his family to the town of Shelley, Idaho. Doug attended grade school and high school in Shelley, graduating in 1957. He attended Idaho State University on a football scholarship, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1961. While teaching in Idaho Falls, Doug worked toward his master’s degree, which he received from Utah State University in 1969.

Doug married Sharon Fae Curtis on June 30, 1961, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. His first teaching assignment was at South Fremont High School in St. Anthony, Idaho, where he coached football and wrestling in addition to his teaching duties. In 1962, Doug and Sharon moved to Idaho Falls, where he taught and coached at Idaho Falls High School. He coached football, basketball, baseball, and track.

In 1966, Doug transferred to Skyline High School, a new school established to accommodate the growing student population in Idaho Falls. He spent the next 35 years teaching at Skyline and retired from the profession in 2001. While at Skyline, Doug coached football, basketball, track, and tennis. After stepping away from coaching in 1970, he began teaching driver’s education and remained involved with the program as both a teacher and supervisor for School District 91 until 1990.

Doug was active in sports for many years and played softball and basketball in the Idaho Falls City League and in the LDS Church sports programs.

Doug was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout his life, most notably as a Sunday School teacher.

Doug was also an avid outdoorsman. Hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping were among his greatest passions. He turned his love of the outdoors into art, carving hundreds of belt buckles from deer, elk, and moose antlers. Later, his interests expanded to knifemaking, including crafting knives with obsidian and Damascus steel blades. Doug was a member of the Eagle Rock Art Guild and participated in numerous art shows throughout the western United States, where he sold carvings and knives he created.

Doug is survived by his daughter, Angela Marie Giles (Mark); his son, Corey Vernon Leatham (Vicki); his grandsons, Morgan Giles (Hannah), Mason Giles (Madelyn), and Bridger Leatham (Jessie); his granddaughters, Kaity Schultz (Brian), Meranda Maestas (Joe), Kylee Koplin (Zach), and Aspen Leatham; and ten great-grandchildren.

Doug was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Leatham; his parents, Harold and Florence Leatham; and his six siblings.

Doug will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his love of teaching, and his willingness to share his knowledge and talents with others. His influence continues through the countless students, athletes, friends, and family members whose lives he touched.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2026at the Idaho Falls Westhill Ward, 2040 Brentwood Drive, with Bishop Brodie Atwood officiating. The family will visit with friends on Sunday, October 25, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and again on Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Shelley-Hillcrest Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.