Leonard was born to Kong Chee Young and Annie Paik on February 26, 1935 in Honolulu, Hawaii and grew up in Kaimuki. He was the fourth born of six children; Grace, Annabelle, Florence, Leonard, Wallace, & Charles. His father was a luthier, a master craftsman, who eventually passed his knowledge and skill on to Leonard. Prior to that, however, Leonard joined the Air Force and while stationed in Mountain Home, Idaho, met the love of his life, Connie Bowman. They were wed in April 1959 in Boise, Idaho, but shortly thereafter moved to Hawaii where their daughter, Star, was born. Eight months later, they moved to Tarzana, California where Leonard attended and then graduated from the Art Center School of Design, beginning a nearly 30-year career as a graphic artist. His passion for art was always evident, as his hands and keen eyes created beauty in all forms; painting with acrylics, oils, and water colors, creating intricate, true-to-life pen and pencil sketches, and carving life from wood. He could sit at a family campfire and whittle out a complete bust of Moses with his hair flying in the wind, while the rest of us struggled to make our sticks look like something more than just mangled kindling. We'd sheepishly show him our efforts and in his typical fashion, dad would say "beautiful!" and grin that great sunny smile that warmed you from the inside out. That's how Leonard was. He knew when people wanted his help and never made them ask for it, but he had a knack of knowing when to step back and "spot you" while you did the work on your own. Dad built people up and showed them how to fly, but was never judgmental or condescending when they fell. He was always there, though, to help you dust yourself off and to encourage you to try again. Leonard was generous and kind and raised his children to be the best people we could be, guiding and nurturing us always with love and patience. He made each of us want to be better people, just so that we could see him look at us with pride in his eyes. In 1963, now back at home in Hawaii, he began his apprenticeship as a luthier under the guidance of his father, who set Leonard on yet another journey; a path that he would follow until the very end and one that he lived and loved. His love of music and woodworking coalesced within his masterful hands into the supremely beautiful instruments he has become known for the world over. In 1986, Leonard and his wife Connie moved back to Boise, where he continued his work as a luthier, gathering an ever growing base of friends and newly adopted ukulele playing "family", and quietly carving his way into the hearts and minds of all who knew, loved and respected him. His heart and home were always open and inviting and his kitchen table has been shared by many who will never forget him. Leonard's wife, Connie, his three children, John, Star and Kaliko, his grandchildren, David, Shalei, Elias, Christopher, Daniel and Timothy, and his great grandbabies Izaiah, Mia and Ryan will continue on while he stands quietly in the background, gently urging us on with the same love and strength that he gave to us in life. Uncle Lenny, our dad, our Papa, and our mother's husband of nearly fifty years will be so greatly missed, and we will love and cherish his memory forever.

Feel free to send your stories, memories, and condolences to the family at younguke@peoplepc.com.

More information available on listings's web site.