Leo Ray Orestad went to be with his Heavenly Father on December 18th, 2013, from his home surrounded by family after a battle with cancer.
Born in Mt.Vernon, Washington on August 11, 1939, Leo was the sixth of ten children born to Bertha and William Orestad. He grew up attending school at Burlington-Edison where he was a stand out athlete.. Leo attended Skagit Valley Community College where he played basketball. In 1958 he signed a Pro Baseball contract with the Yakima Bears.
After Leo played professional baseball in Yakima he was enlisted into the Army. He worked in the security as a Morris Code Operator, helping decode a message from the East Germans about the Berlin Wall. While in the Army he was stationed in Frankfort, Germany where he was a two sport athlete. He played on the Big Blue Basketball Team in '61 & '62, where he averaged 16 points a game and also player coached with Adolf Rupp. In 1960 he was All-Europe Baseball team pitcher and first baseman.
On May 26th, 1965 he married Karen Swanson. They had three children; Shaun, Tracie and Jana. In 1971, they moved to Republic where Leo was the supervisor for the Department of Licensing, retiring in 1994.
In the Spring of 1975, Leo headed the multi-sport, football/baseball athletic field at Republic High School. Lights were erected, bleacher constructed, goal posts put up, a score board installed, stairs built, etc. His efforts inspired others to donate their time, equipment and elbow grease. The field was ready for the first football game in the 1975-76 season. Leo was able to watch all of this children and grandchildren use and enjoy this field. In the early '70s, he served as President and Founder of the Republic Booster Club, as well of President of the Republic School Board and a member of Kiwanis. Countless hours were spent coaching little league baseball, Babe Ruth, and basketball teams.
Leo was an avid gardener, he loved his beautiful flowers, birds and working in his yard. He was crazy about all of his kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren and was a devoted family man. He enjoyed watching them participate in sports and other extra curricular activities.

SURVIVED BY
Wife: Karen Orestad, at home in Republic
Children: Shaun Orestad (Cheryl), Tracie Brown (Mike), Jana Bacon (Dan) all of Republic
Grandchildren: Tyler Orestad (Paige), Todd Orestad (Melissa), Travis Bacon (Danielle), Chandra Bacon, Ashley Brown, Scott Bacon, Tori Orestad (Trea), Brianna Brown
Great Grandchildren: Pyper Orestad, Tanner Orestad, Jase Bacon
Siblings: Betty Magnesun (Ken), Oscar Orestad, Dave Orestad, Lester Orestad (Sandee), Marvin Orestad (Alice), Lola Bertenelli (Ray), Marion Saddler (Bob)
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bertha Orestad, brother Robert Orestad and sister Rosella Smith.
Memorial services will be held at later date.