The very first Habitat volunteer. Builder of over 250 Habitat Tucson homes. Devoted father, husband, and community member. All these describe the incomparable Leland Yarbrough.
“Leland was the most patient man I have ever met,” said Joshua Swinney, Chief Production Officer at Habitat Tucson, who first met Leland back in high school.
Leland first started volunteering with Habitat Tucson in 1980, and worked with fellow volunteers, staff members, and homeowners to build the foundation for Habitat Tucson’s volunteer corps, what we now call “the regulars.” A gifted carpenter, Leland brought the quality of his craft to the construction team. His faith led him to serve, and thousands of people were impacted by his generosity.
That includes Leland’s daughter, Leah. Recently, Leah’s husband received an unexpected bonus through his work and she was inspired make a gift to Habitat.
“It was a way to honor God and honor our Pops,” Leah said.
She is inspired by families who work towards self-reliance and stability, and her father’s long legacy with Habitat. “We knew you would do the best with what was given, and it would go to the best people.”
Leah grew up in the family business, and remembers how hard it was to be one of the kids because more was expected out of you. She grew up working in the office and taking appointments, and remembers seeing him around construction workers. “He can be bullheaded,” Leah said, “but he was the first to offer a hand to anyone in need. I saw that so many times.”
Leah sees that same ‘bullheadedness’ reflected in herself to this day. “He used to say we would argue with a fencepost. That’s how he was too. He had a mischievous side and you’d never know it because he looked so stern – but he had these smile lines and he’d get that little twinkle in his eyes. I have that too.”
Every board, every nail – every part of that house – served as a testament to the dedication and passion Leland brought to Habitat Tucson.
