Roping partner and friend Sandy McLeod passed away from complications following a shoulder surgery. In the morning hours of August 27, Heaven called for Colin “Sandy” McLeod III.
Sandy was born in Boise, Idaho, on March 13, 1952. He was the son of Colin “Smokey” McLeod Jr. and Delayne McLeod.
In 1981 he married Teri Edwards and moved to Star, Idaho. In 1982 they welcomed a daughter, Megan. Sandy was a cattleman and devoted his life to raising quality cattle and running his business with integrity.
Sandy and wife Teri developed a successful partnership in the rodeo horse business. They became involved in several organizations around the valley including the Idaho Cattleman’s Assn., Idaho Cowboys Assn., Idaho Barrel Futurity Assn., International Feedlot Ropers Assn. and the High School Rodeo Assn. To each and every organization he became involved in, he gave his full attention.
Sandy was involved with Spring Valley Ranch from an early age. He later became a partner in the development of Avimor, a unique planned community located on Spring Valley Ranch. He always expressed his views to his partners as the cowboy perspective. He wanted to keep things simple yet a place where residents would enjoy living and respect the land as his family has for generations.
In January 2012, he was blessed with his first and only grandchild, Marka Catherine. He loved taking her for rides on his horses, his tractor, and sharing their nightly “Skinny Cow” ice cream sandwich. They shared a bond that only a Papa and his grandbaby could.
Sandy’s truest passion became his horses, roping and the many friends associated with that industry in Idaho and Arizona. He loved all his friends and loved to share his opinions on many subjects, be it political, equine or the direction the country is going. He had a heart as big as the sky he lived beneath.
Sandy was preceded in death by his parents, Smokey and DeLayne McLeod, and survived by his girls, wife Teri, daughter Megan and granddaughter Marka Catherine. He is also survived by his sister Patti (Joe) Ledgerwood and their daughter Lori Braseth.
A celebration of Sandy’s life was held Sept. 5 at O’Connor Field House adjacent to the Caldwell Night Rodeo Grounds in Caldwell, Idaho.
