John Byron Leitch

John Byron Leitch, 86, of Tucson, Arizona and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Born in West Jersey, Illinois, and raised in Toulon, Illinois by his parents John and Zillah Leitch. He earned degrees from Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois.

John lived a life shaped by creativity, curiosity, and craftsmanship. That inventive spirit guided him throughout life. While raising his young family in the Chicago suburbs, he mastered the arts of jewelry, lapidary, leatherwork and photography. He then took his first ceramics class-an experience that awakened a lifelong passion. He earned a graduate degree in ceramics and became a fixture in the vibrant arts community.

Never settling into one medium, he later branched into porcelain, brush-making, men's wet shaving and bladesmithing. His initial approach to men's wet shaving objects earned him "Best New Artist" at the 1989 American Craft Show in Philadelphia. He described himself as an "obsessed object maker", and objects of his artistic creations span across the continents.

From his studios first in Sante Fe, NM and then Tucson, John created fine heirloom pieces: porcelain jewelry boxes, pool cue wraps, handmade knives, razors, and shaving sets-each one a precise, intentional fusion of form and function. His most recent companies, Byron Shaving and Bella Shaving, provide high quality shaving tools of impeccable design. He was a master of systems, materials, dexterity, and process improvement; he just "knew stuff" and was skillfully conversant discussing how things work.

John's passion for pool led him to design one of his most popular creations: the Chalk Shark, a high-quality magnetic chalk holder used by billiards enthusiasts worldwide. John spent years refining his final version: an aluminum disc with a leather inlay and a two-magnet system, reflecting his eye for detail and a craftsman's dedication to utility and beauty. He also designed the VUE Clear Billiard Bridge Head using his same creative approach. He later sold the manufacturing rights for both products to Kamui, an international billiards company in Japan.

He is survived by his beloved wife Margie; sons John ("Nick") and his wife Diane, and David and his wife Elizabeth; grandchildren Chelsea Leitch, Ashleigh Kubes, Brianna Williams, Meris Whitaker, Katie Leitch, John Leitch; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Stacey Leitch Whitaker. Many lifelong friends also mourn his departure and celebrate both his deft skill and sharp wit.

A quiet visionary, John Leitch left behind not just his stunning creations, but a life lived with purpose, ingenuity, and love. His memory is indelibly etched upon all who knew and loved him.

Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a local art charity in John's memory and to use your creativity in pursuit of beauty.