Jon W. Leitner

Jon W. Leitner

Jan. 18, 1950 - Oct. 18, 2013

SEDONA, Arizona -- Jon W. Leitner, 63, died Oct. 18, 2013 in Sedona.

He was born Jan. 18, 1950, in McCook, Nebraska to Elmer and Betty Leitner and graduated from McCook High School in 1968.

He attended Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska as a scholarship recipient in the areas of painting, athletics and academics. He attended Arizona State
University for one semester and returned to Hastings College as the recipient of a scholarship in the area of sculpture, with emphasis in the area of bronze casting. He graduated Cum Laude and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hastings in 1972. Upon graduation, he was awarded a post-graduate
fellowship to study sculpture at Kansas State University at Emporia. From Emporia, Jon returned to Hastings, being employed as a commercial artist. He returned to the educational scene in 1973 as an assistant in the sculpture department at Hastings College.
In 1973, Jon received a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Illinois (M.F.A. work), and an opportunity to study with the internationally known sculptor, Frank Gallo. Jon left Illinois in 1974 as an
independent sculptor and set up a private studio in Nebraska. In 1975, Jon received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and another such grant in 1976.

Jon was a highly honored and talented sculptor. The family will forever cherish his bronze sculptures.
Some of Leitner's most noted sculptural achievements are his collaborative efforts on the Sylvester Stallone "Rocky" sculpture in Philadelphia by A. Thomas Schomberg and his commissions for noted singers Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys and Roy Orbison. The sculpture of "Samson," the Madden family's pet, is prominently featured in the Museum of Outdoor Arts Park.

He spent his final days with family and friends. He will be remembered through his many sculptures that are placed around the country.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Leitner.

Survivors include his father, Elmer Leitner and brother, Roger Leitner.

A memorial service is Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Colorado.