James Joseph "Jim" Leitner

James ("Jim") Joseph Leitner, 89, of Bridgewater, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Bridgewater Home, surrounded by love.
Jim was born on June 12, 1936, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Joe and Mary (Gorniak) Leitner. From an early age, he was known for his curiosity, resourcefulness, and work ethic - qualities that would serve him well throughout his life.
On December 29, 1959, Jim married the love of his life, Julie (Olivier) Leitner. Together, they built a beautiful life that spanned more than six decades, filled with laughter, Hard work, and countless adventures.
Jim began his career running his own machine shop in Regina before he and Julie set out to start a new chapter in Golden, Colorado. Jim took a position with Coors Brewing Company, and the couple welcomed their two sons, Louis and Daniel, during their years in Golden. They made many fond memories in their brick ranch home on Beech Street, the kind of home that was always open to friends and filled with the sound of boys playing and laughter. Jim loved to tell jokes (often the same ones), and somehow, they got funnier every time. Whether it was a clever one-liner or a playful tease, Jim could always be counted on to get people laughing.
The family later moved to Fort Stockton, Texas, where Jim and Julie owned and operated the Town & Country Motel. Never one to shy away from hard work, Jim also spent long hours in the oil and gas fields. Together, he and Julie made the most of every opportunity, working side by side, raising their family, and building lasting friendships wherever they went.
Their journey took them from Washington State to New Mexico, and eventually to Leakey, Texas, where they enjoyed their retirement years. Later, they made their way to Virginia to be closer to family, settling at the Bridgewater Retirement Community.
Jim found joy and purpose in the woodshop at Bridgewater Home, where his craftsmanship lives on in pieces throughout the community and at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren daycare. When his great-granddaughters visited from Massachusetts, spending time with Grandpa Jim in the woodshop was a special highlight of their trip.
Jim was a man of quiet strength, quick wit, and deep devotion to those he loved. He had an engineer's mind and a craftsman's hands, always able to fix, build, or improve just about anything. But most of all, he was happiest surrounded by family - sharing stories, cracking jokes, and seeing how long he could keep everyone laughing around the table.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Julie; his sons Louis J. Leitner (Lisa Hawkins) and Daniel A. Leitner (Cathy); five grandchildren, Janine Howe (Will), Lucas Leitner (Jessica), Jimmy Leitner, Matthew Leitner, and Zachary Dolack; and four great-grandchildren: Audrey, Carys, Greyson, and Oliver.
The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Serenity House at Bridgewater Home for their exceptional kindness and care during Jim's final months.
A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Good Neighbor Fund at Bridgewater Retirement Community, 302 N. 2nd Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812, or online at www.bridgewaterretirement.org/giving, in gratitude for the loving care Jim received.
Jim's legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply - a life well lived, full of love, laughter, purpose, and quiet strength. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jim", please visit our floral store.