Colin "Sandy" McLeod

Colin "Sandy" McLeod III
1952 - 2013
In the morning hours of August 27th, Heaven called for Colin "Sandy" McLeod III. He left here peacefully but very unexpectedly.
Sandy was born in Boise on March 13, 1952. He was the son of Colin "Smokey" McLeod Jr. and Delayne McLeod. He went to school in Caldwell through the 12th grade. He made his parents proud being a good student, golfer and basketball player. He went on to college at the University of Idaho and became a member of the Beta Theta Phi fraternity. While at U of I, Sandy played basketball his freshman year before pursuing his strong interest in roping and rodeoing for the U of I college rodeo team. He graduated in 1974 and went back to Caldwell and joined with his father in the family ranching business.
In 1981 he married Teri Edwards and moved to Star. In 1982 they welcomed a daughter, Megan. Sandy was a cattleman and devoted his life to raising quality cattle and running his business with integrity. He took much pride in the Spring Valley Livestock brand that had been passed down from his grandfather and dad. He passed down the importance of hard work, integrity, and quality to his daughter, employees, friends, and the many children he helped along the way.
His interest in horses became even stronger after he married Teri. Together they developed a successful partnership in the rodeo horse business. They became involved in several organizations around the valley including the Idaho Cattleman's Assn., Idaho Cowboys Assn., Idaho Barrel Futurity Assn., International Feedlot Ropers Assn. and the High School Rodeo Assn. Each and every organization he became involved in, he gave his full attention to. He never wanted anything for himself, he wanted to make them better organizations that would stay strong and provide many people the enjoyment of competition in the arena for years to come.
Sandy was involved with Spring Valley Ranch from an early age. A shift in careers came about in the early 2000's, a change that did not come easy for a man for whom cattle and land stewardship ran in his veins. He became a partner in the development of Avimor, a unique planned community located on Spring Valley Ranch. He always expressed his views to his partners as the cowboy perspective. He wanted to keep things simple yet a place where residents would enjoy living and respect the land as his family has for generations.
In the mid 2000's, Megan and her late boyfriend Levi Wisness, introduced Sandy to a new world of friends. Many of Megan and Levi's friends from the rodeo world became true friends of Sandy's who he loved very much. Sandy looked forward every summer to housing and feeding "his boys" when they passed through town chasing the rodeo trail.
In January 2012, he was blessed with his 1st and only grandchild, Marka Catherine. He loved taking her for rides on his horses, his tractor, and sharing their nightly 'Skinny Cow' ice cream sandwich. They shared a bond that only a Papa and his grandbaby could.
Sandy's truest passion became his horses, roping and the many friends associated with that industry in Idaho and Arizona. He loved all his friends and loved to share his opinions on many subjects, be it political, equine or the direction this country is going! He was a very generous man who provided anything from a place to practice, use of equipment or horses, advice or even a much needed hug. He had a heart as big as the sky he lived beneath.
Sandy was preceded in death by his parents, Smokey and DeLayne McLeod, and Megan's boyfriend Levi Wisness.
Sandy is survived by his girls, wife (Teri), daughter (Megan) and granddaughter (Marka Catherine).
He is also survived by his sister Patti (Joe) Ledgerwood and their daughter Lori Braseth.
A celebration of Sandy's life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening, September 5th at O'Connor Field House adjacent to the Caldwell Night Rodeo Grounds in Caldwell. A dinner and reception will follow the services at the Field House with a time of open sharing of memories of Sandy. Please bring your memories and smiles to share. Memories and condolences may also be shared with the family at his online tribute page at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com. Services and arrangements are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 or to ACTRA Crisis Fund, 2852 Frontier St., Winnemucca, NV 89445 or to the Idaho Youth Ranch, 5465 W. Irving Street, Boise, Idaho 83706.