George Leith McQueen Jr., 82, died September 21, 2008 at his home in Flagstaff from Prostate Cancer. He was born in Los Angeles, California on Christmas day in 1925. His parents, Leith Sr. and Maud McQueen, had recently moved west from Minnesota. Leith began studying piano at age 7 with his dear mother watching and overseeing the years of practicing. As a youth, he sang soprano in school and church. After his graduation from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, he immediately joined the Army and served in the Philippines during World War II. He then attended LA City College and soon met Martha Susan Scott at a church college group. They were married November 19, 1948. Leith sang on radio and TV programs as a baritone and loved music, especially sacred hymns and songs from Handel to Arizona's own John Peterson. He directed choirs at a Presbyterian Church, Grace Brethren Church, and a Baptist Church with much enjoyment at each one.
In the early 70's, Leith retired from New York Life Insurance Co. as an agent, moved the family to Flagstaff, and went to work in sales for his friend Ralph Platt at the VW dealership called Modern Motors. Ralph was a marvelous whistler and they both loved to fish and bird watch in Oak Creek Canyon. Leith also greatly enjoyed gathering and chopping wood for the fireplaces each summer with his nephew Cliff Scott. When the family moved to Arizona, Leith gave up singing with many groups he dearly loved. Groups he sang with included the Laymen Singers, Dr. Fuller's Old Fashioned Revival Hour, and Wilbur Nelson's Morning Chapel Hour. He also did a turn as a "Sacred Disc Jockey" with his own radio program entitled Inspiration Please. In recent years, he was a pianist at the Greenlaw Baptist Church in Flagstaff.
Leith was involved with Flagstaff Christian Businessman, Kiwanis, and the Sunshine Rescue Mission. He also called on everyone he could in the rest homes and hospital. He enjoyed talking with each one and he often gathered them around him to play the hymns they wanted to hear on the piano.
Leith is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Sharon Balda, son Douglas McQueen and his wife Debbie, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was an only child but embraced his brother-in-laws and their wives, Bill and Mary Scott and Steve and Donna Scott, as if they were siblings of his very own. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law Bob Balda.
A Memorial service will be held at Greenlaw Baptist Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2008. A reception at the church will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to RTA Hospice, 1000 N. Humphreys, Suite 220, Flagstaff, Arizona or a charity of your choice.