David Michael Leonardi

David Michael Leonardi passed away unexpectedly on May 12, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee, his home of 7 years. David was born on May 7, 1960, and raised in Ogden, Utah, the middle of seven children. His adventurous spirit took him to Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, North Dakota, and Tennessee.
David was thoughtful and generous beyond expectations and always enjoyed helping. He had a great sense of humor and loved learning new things. Even as a child, he enjoyed games and puzzles, taking things apart to see how they worked, a variety of collections, rocks, camping and fishing trips, especially at Christmas Meadows with his family. David was known as a child for finding treasures in unusual places, and we called him the "treasure diver". This was the jumpstart for many of his businesses where he saw the value in discarded objects and found a way to resell them as reused treasures for others. What a unique gift.
A man of many talents, David was constantly learning and growing, and was not afraid to take on new and unique challenges. He was an entrepreneur with his business management, sales and marketing capabilities owning many types of businesses, ranging from the Master's Touch Landscaping to an insurance agency to an Auction Company and a thrift store, where he resold the treasures that he would find.
He graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and earned a Commercial Science Degree in Marketing and Business Management from Stevens Henager College in Utah. His mastery was in many areas – he was a mortician with exceptional sensitivity to families, an exceptional national auctioneer and a fabulous country dance instructor. He was also a super and zany clown who ministered as a Funny Company Clown for Christ.
His 16 nieces and nephews were always delighted when he arrived at family reunions, as the party never really began until Uncle David showed up! He once came in full clown attire, and no one recognized him, and another time he arrived with his pet Kinkajou. Each time his siblings saw him, they told him how much he resembled his father more and more. David laughed and said, "Well I see Dad every day, when I look in the mirror!"
David is survived by his four children, of whom he was always very proud: Gabriel Leonardi in Knoxville, TN; Aubrie Leonardi and Dawson Leonardi of Grand Forks, ND; and Evan Crader of Fort Collins, Colorado; his stepchildren, Rachel Moulds in Minneapolis, MN and Joshua Moulds of Beaverton, OR, and one grandson, Antonio Leonardi.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Aldo Leonardi of Ogden, Utah. He is survived by his children, grandchild and stepchildren, and his siblings: Rudi Leonardi of Mill Valley, California, Linda Hays (Phillip) of Placerville, California, Margaret Piela of Sammamish, Washington, Donna Lizza (Dennis) of Ogden, Utah, John Leonardi (Karen) of Ogden, Utah, and Joe Leonardi (Lisa) of Monroe, Washington.
A Committal Prayer Service will be held at the graveside July 7 at 11:00 AM in Ogden, Utah, where he will be buried next to his parents.
Check back for dates for an online celebration of his life.
Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Leonardi family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.gentrygriffey.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of David Michael Leonardi, please visit our floral store.