C. Jeddy LeVar

LeVAR, C. JEDDY, was born on May 31, 1938 in Tavares, to W.H. and Isabelle LeVar. At the age of nine, Jeddy contracted polio, which left his right leg paralyzed. He spent a year recuperating and being tutored at home, where he wrote his own weekly newspaper and took piano lessons. He graduated from Tavares High School in 1956. He received Bachelor and Master's Degrees from BYU and in 1962 moved back to Florida to teach Government and Journalism at Orlando Junior College. He married Karma Huntsman on January 25, 1964 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He received a PhD from the University of Florida in 1973, and moved his family to Arkadelphia, AR to teach at Henderson State University, retiring last year. He loved teaching and being involved in the faculty senate and the Arkansas Political Science association for many years both as a member and an officer. He also served as the department chair for many years prior to his retirement. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he served as a bishop, a branch president, a member of the stake high council, as a counselor in the Little Rock, AR Stake Presidency. But he most enjoyed serving as an assistant clerk to one son and as a counselor in the branch presidency to another son. Jeddy loved his grandchildren. Currently, there are nine with one more due to arrive in early September. Two years ago he organized the first reunion of the descendants of W.H. and Isabelle LeVar. The most recent reunion was held in Florida this year in June with everyone in attendance. He took great joy in his family and was always glad to spend time together with them. Jeddy suffered a mild heart attack on July 26. He entered the hospital and learned that he needed heart bypass surgery. He was cheerful and optimistic approaching the surgery, spending the week in the hospital with Karma by his side. He came through surgery doing fine, but suffered a stroke that ended his life Sunday, August 15th. He is survived by his wife Karma; daughters Lori Pearce of Columbus, MS, DeeAnn Cheatham of The Colony, TX, Natalie Guerrero of Ft. Worth, TX; sons Allen of Arkadelphia, AR, Thad of Tooele, UT, Lance of Orem, UT; nine grandchildren; sisters Lila Buckbee of North Salt Lake, UT, Lurlene Lawton of Tavares, FL, Freda Scott of Nashville, TN; niece Lazette Lawton of Atlanta, GA; nephews Frank Lawton of Eustis, FL, Rhett and Scott Lawton of Tavares, FL, Jeff Scott of Sandy, UT, Brad Scott of Franklin, TN; and three great nieces.