Arthur Leason

Arthur Leason, of Norwell, died at home Nov. 6, aged 90. Born in 1931 in Denver, Colo., his parents were Samuel Arthur Leason and Alice Russell Milligan. He was raised in Nevada, Mo., and graduated from high school there in 1949. He attended Missouri University and received a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1954. In 1952 he married Jane Leason, his high school girlfriend, beginning a long happy partnership. He had a home-made valentine from Jane for the next 69 years. In the spring of 1954 they went to Ft. Sill, Okla., where Art served in the U.S. Army artillery for two years.

In 1956, he went to work for Atlas Powder (explosives),then Thiokol Corp. (solid propellants and retro-rockets for the space program, then for Armstrong Cork (rubber products) in Braintree, Mass.

In the late 1960s Art found his true calling. As a management consultant working for an old-line industrial consulting firm in Boston, for about 30 years he went all over the country solving problems in factories using advanced statistical techniques and careful observation and measurements. He worked in dozens of industries including oil field drilling equip, frozen potato skin snacks, office equipment, LEGO toys, soft contact lenses, to name a few. He saved thousands of jobs by solving manufacturing problems and it was sad for him to see so many of those jobs go overseas.

He loved his work and he loved his home of 50 years (he built a lot of the furniture in it). After he retired he had a big workshop that everyone called The Factory. When someone would ask how to be successful he would say "Work hard, be honest, be kind." A few weeks ago, he said to Jane "I just wish we could do it all over again."

He is survived by his wife Jane, two sons, John A. Leason (Linda) and David A. Leason (Cheryl) and three grandsons, Tyler, Ryan and Sam Leason. Over the years he has loved and appreciated Cheryl's children, Tanner, Devan and Logan O'Brien and their families, He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered.

Heartfelt thanks to Norwell VNA/Hospice for their loving care of Arthur and to the friends and neighbors who have been so kind and helpful. Donations to NVNA/Hospice or Salvation Army.

For an online guestbook, visit www.mcnamara-sparrell.com.