Gerald John Leest, 89, of Sweet Home passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026. He was born on May 26, 1937 to Henrietta (De Jong) and Lawrence N. Leest in Gresham, Oregon.

Gerald and his family moved to Sweet Home area when he was 12 and he has lived in Sweet Home for the majority of his life. He worked from the bottom up in the logging industry, retiring from G & H Logging in 2003.

What mattered most to Gerald was his family and friends. He always made time to spend with them. He loved maintaining his property. Many fond memories were made while fishing, crabbing and traveling in their RV.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Carol Leest of Sweet Home; children: Sandra Updegrave (Frank) of Sweet Home, Dina Black (Frank) of Sweet Home, Kim Wessel (Darren) of Omak, Washington; seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Lawrence (1982) and Henrietta (1983); stepson, Randy Cline (2020); and all eight of his siblings: Nellie, Don, Evelyn, Arie, Harriet, Frances, Betty and Hank.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.