Leo Ault

Leo Hacking Ault, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, 92 years old passed away April 10 2025 at his son's home in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Leo was born in the small town of Cedar Fort, Utah on May 28, 1932, to Owen (Hap) and Vinnie Hacking Ault. He was the Fourth of Five children, Virginia, Louis, Howard, Leo and Leonard. His Father was in the Sheep Ranching Business so from an early age he learned how to work hard. Leo and his older brother Louis would move the sheep from Manning up over to Mercur and then to Halls Basin above Ophir. It sometimes took two days with no sleep. They only had an occasional nap on the ground for a few minutes. After the summer range the sheep were moved to Keg Mountain on the west desert to the winter range. After winter they were moved to Vernon for spring lambing. After spring lambing, they would start the process all over again. At the age of 12 he shot a Mountain Lion that was harming the sheep. When he was 15, he raised some lambs and entered them at the Utah State Fair. He stayed with them for the entire 8 days of the Fair. sleeping on the ground next to his sheep. He took 1st place. After selling his sheep he bought his Harley Davidson Motorcycle.
He attended grade school in a two-room schoolhouse in Cedar Fort Ut, and attended High School in Lehi where he excelled in Math, Shop and Woodworking. He built a desk, two coffee tables and a Cedar Chest taking 1st place in the state competition. He graduated from Lehi High School in 1950.
Leo was a legend in the Christmas Tree business for over 75 years. He started cutting Christmas Trees above Cedar Fort when he was 15. He would wrap his feet in newspapers to protect them from the cold and then haul the trees out on horses. He ran the Christmas Tree Lot in American Fork for many years and had a personal relationship with most of his customers, and watched their families grow up and their children and spouses become customers as well. He also furnished big, beautiful trees for the Triad Center during the 2002 Winter Olympics. He loved cutting the trees and selling them and finally retired at the age of 90.
Leo met and married Virginia Adamson in 1953. They were the parents of three children, John, Arlun and Julie. They were married almost 72 years. In 1955 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He trained at the White Sands Proving Grounds in White Sands New Mexico as a Radar Specialist in the NIKE Guided Missile Program. After training they were then stationed in Poulsbo, Washington for the remainder of his military service. After the service they settled in Pleasant Grove, Utah for the last 66 years.
After the Army, he worked for almost 30 years for Geneva Steel until it was closed. In his spare time, he was a salesman at Tri City Ford and also did many construction jobs in and around the state. He was the president of the Landowner permits in the Ophir area.
He coached his sons in baseball and took his family on many fun adventures. He operated Manning Cycle Park where motocross races were held. European riders raced along with US riders.
He loved taking his grandchildren fishing, camping, hunting and ATV riding. His family was his life. He loved hard work, fishing, gardening, Christmas trees and animals, especially his dogs, Rusty, Moose and Skeeter.
Leo is survived by his wife Virginia, his children; Arlun (Kaye) Ault and Julie Gillman. 8 Grandchildren; Danny (Leslie) Ault, Aaron (Roxy) Ault, Brandon (Lauren) Ault, Lance Ault, Jason (Krystal) Ault, Amber Ault, Dallun (Whitney) Ault, Trevor (Deborah) Gillman. 18 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great, Great Granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his son Leo John Ault.
His family is so grateful to all the nurses and staff at Hospice at Aspin Ridge. A special thanks to his aide Trixie for her love and care. To his granddaughter Amber for her kind and loving care for the last few months of his life.
A Graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery, 550 N 100 West, Pleasant Grove, UT. In lieu of Flowers please contribute to your favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.