Roy "Leon" Hartless

Roy Leon Hartless, 82, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Pocatello, ID. He was born in Lexington, Virginia on April 23, 1940.

Leon grew up on a farm with his mother and father, three sisters and one younger brother. His love for music spawned from listening to his dad play the banjo (Claw-hammer style) playing in a square dance band every Saturday night growing up. His uncle also influenced his love for music as he was one of the best flat-top guitar players in the area. Leon’s younger sister taught herself to play the guitar and became so proficient at it that she and Leon’s uncle would play on the radio together.  Needless to say, music was a part of everything that took place in his growing-up years.

He was interested in sports and started playing little league baseball at age nine. Leon played four sports in high school and made all-state in all four. After high school and he attended Fort Union Military Academy in Virginia. While attending he played sports and was able to accept a scholarship to Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA to play sports. After one semester Leon signed a professional contract with the Huston Colt Forty-Fives on his 21^st birthday.

Leon played four years with Huston and three years with the Durham Bulls.

While Leon was attending VMI, he met Cynthia LaRue and they later married. During their 25 years together they had three children, Patchin, Dana and Heather. They divorced in 1981.

In 1962 he joined the US Army Reserves. It was there he learned to play the guitar. He finished active duty in October of 1968.  After the military he went to work with a sporting goods company in Lexington. He worked there for 13 years. He traveled to various colleges and high schools selling uniforms and sporting equipment.  Leon also worked for a pharmaceutical company and in food service, working up to become a director in food service over 1,500 students overseeing that they received three meals a day.  The company he worked for sent him to Lindsey Wilson college in Kentucky where he stayed for two years. While visiting friends in Pocatello, he met Georgia Sant. They were married for 15 years when they divorced but saw each other every day, loved each other and were best friends.

Leon and his daughter, Dana, did a lot of entertaining including going to nursing homes to play and sing to the residents. Dana just picked up the guitar after a couple of years, teaching herself how to play. You could find them playing for family reunions, and any type of gathering you could think of. They even won second place at the True Value Music Contest in Harrisburg, VA.

After the contest they formed a band with a few other musicians called “Dark Hollow”. Mostly playing blue grass festivals they participated quite frequently playing on various stages doing so well they had entry fees returned to them. The biggest venue they played at was in Galax, VA where thousands of people attended. Jam sessions were all over the place after the stage performances were over for the night. World record holders for guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and others were always playing at this venue, (One of the largest venues around).

All three of his children learned to play the guitar and other instruments including the piano on their own, and a lot of nephews and nieces learned how to play. Music has been a great part of his whole family’s lives. 

Leon was a member of the Bannock County Bluegrass Association, he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving on the high council and in 3 bishoprics.

He loved music, especially Bluegrass, and he knew hundreds of songs by heart. He also was a great guitar picker and enjoyed teaching guitar lessons. He also enjoyed hunting, and fishing.

Leon is survived by his best friend and former spouse Georgia Sant of Pocatello, Idaho; his daughters Dana Hartless, Covington, VA, Heather Hartless McClung, Idaho Falls, Idaho; stepsons Travis Sant, Pocatello, Idaho, and Christopher Sant, Wasilla, Alaska; and stepdaughter Courtney Sant, Kimberly, Idaho.

He is preceded in death by his son Patchin Hartless; stepdaughter Angela Sant Crowe; parents Roy and Ellen Hartless; siblings Beatrice Hostettler and Ann Wheeler, Louise Sweet and Tommy Hartless.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Alameda Stake Center, 930 East Alameda Road, Pocatello, Idaho. Viewings will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South 4th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho 83201, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S. 5^th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho. 

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