Leo Garside

Leo Garside, 80, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Omaha VA Medical Center.

Leo William Garside was born June 24, 1944, to Merle and Emma (Chambers) Garside in Anita, Iowa. He attended school in Anita until the family moved to Adair in 1952. Leo graduated from Adair-Casey High School in the Class of 1962. Following graduation, he completed mechanic school in Omaha, Nebraska, before returning to Adair where he worked for Roof Chevrolet. After moving to Atlantic he was employed by Larsen and Lowers.

In the spring of 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Leo later transferred to Aberdeen, Maryland, and eventually was deployed to Korea in 1967, for one year before being honorably discharged. Upon his return to Atlantic, he worked for Montgomery Wards, Napa Auto Parts, and finally, Coca Cola Bottling Company from which he would ultimately retire.

Leo married Elaine Figgins in 1969, and they were blessed with two sons, Bill and Jimmy. Leo enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working on his old International truck with his boys. In retirement he loved to sit on his deck and spend time with his boys, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of his life.

His life will be celebrated by his wife of 55 years, Elaine (Figgins) Garside of Atlantic; sons, Bill Garside of Atlantic and Jimmy (Lori) Garside of Atlantic; sisters, Linda Carlson of Atlantic and Laurel Lehman of Adair; brothers, Lee Garside of Adair and Lyle (Norma) Garside of Exira; grandchildren, Alyssa, Alex, Aaron, Jovi and Jewel; great-grandchildren, Zain, Lidea, Owen, Elizabeth, Gavin, Madison, Clarrisa and Camron; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Emma; granddaughter, Journey Garside; sister, Lois Nelson; mother and father-in-law, Woodrow and Beatrice Figgins; daughter-in-law, Amy Garside; brothers-in-law, Robert Figgins, Tom Pope, Carl Nelson, Darrell Carlson and Robert Lehman; sister-in-law, and Twila Garside; and nephews, David and Craig Figgins and Donnie Ward.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Leo’s time in the service will be honored with full military rites presented by the Atlantic Color Guard. Burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Leo’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.