Leonard John Matchniff passed from this life on Thursday, February 15, 2024, due to esophageal cancer. He was born in Fresno, CA on March 12, 1950 to John Alex and Roberta (Peterson) Matchniff. He was seventy-three years old).
For most of his childhood years his family lived in a house on Walker’s Grade between North Fork and Fresno. After graduating McKinley High School in 1968 he worked nights at the lumber mill as a heavy equipment operator moving and stacking logs. The following year he joined the United States Navy and served for four years (1969-1973) on the USS Constellation Aircraft Carrier as a signalman. Leonard was stationed in San Diego, CA. In 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Moles. They would continue the whole of their life together for 28 years in Chula Vista, CA where they would raise their three children, Stephanie, Danny, and Karen.
Carolyn’s faith and love for the Lord influenced Leonard early on in their relationship. But, unwilling to take anything at face value, and despite the efforts of other Christians to bring him to faith in Christ Jesus, he wanted only to see and read for himself what the Bible had to say rather than what any man had to say about it. And at the age of 19 he was won over by what the Bible had to say. Eventually, his convictions and growing faith would compel him to be a teacher of the Bible and preacher of the gospel of Jesus. With a strong conviction, a supportive wife, a tireless work ethic, a true sense of discipline, determination, and a keen eye for detail, he succeeded in anything he put his hand to.
After his time served in the military he attended and graduated Southwestern College in 1977 obtaining his Associate in Science degree with a major in Carpentry. He attended night classes after working long, hard days as a carpenter while Carolyn worked at home raising their three children. Having a major role in the construction of Downtown San Diego’s Seaport Village, and with his growing reputation in the home building industry, he advanced into managerial positions as “Director of Construction” and “Vice President” for such home builders as Pierre-Debis and Reynolds’ Construction. He leaves behind him in San Deigo a legacy as a hard-working, significantly influential, and highly respected member of the BIA (Business Industry Association), contributing to the big decisions of major construction projects throughout San Diego County.
God used Leonard and Carolyn together in their marriage to make a big impact on so many people’s lives in bringing them to Christ. After losing Carolyn, his wife and high school sweetheart to melanoma cancer in November of 1999, Leonard would later marry Carlene Baskevich and adopt two children from Estonia (German and Illona). That next chapter of his life would be lived out in such places in California as Del Mar, Livermore, Hollywood Hills, back to Livermore, and last of all, Susanville.
During his time in Hollywood Hills he would try his hand at real estate and acting. He managed to make his way into small rolls in a few TV shows and movies such as “Chuck” (S1, Ep. 12), “Eagle Eye,” and “17 Again.” Getting more settled in Livermore, CA he became a building inspector for Foster City in the Bay Area.
He would spend the final year of his life near his son, Danny and his family, in the little town of Susanville, which fondly reminded him of his childhood growing up in the hills and the trees away from the grind of the city life.
Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Sue Matchniff and his half-brother, Jim. He is survived by his children and their families: daughter, Stephanie Whiteley with her husband, Kimo and their 3 children; son, Danny Matchniff with his wife Amy and their 4 children; daughter, Karen Rice with her husband, Chris and their 3 children; son, German Matchniff; and daughter, Ilona Matchniff. He is survived also by his three sisters: Sharon English, Roberta (Robbie) Nelson, and Sandee Donaldson.
Memorial Service Info:
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 2:00 pm
Susanville Church of Christ
205 N. Fairfield Ave.
Susanville, CA 96130
