CREEDE — The small town tucked away in the San Juan Mountain range is known for its tight-knit community and generosity. Creede is not a place, it is a destination one that celebrates together, and one that mourns together.

The community received sad news when the announcement was made that a local resident, some might say a local legend, had passed away from complications with COVID. Phil Leggitt built his legacy in the small town throughout the years and was known for being a people person, a kind and caring friend and a force to be reckoned with should the situation call for it.

“Phil Leggitt wasn't just a part of Creede, he was Creede,” people said.

Phil was born in Crestone in 1941, the middle child of 16 siblings. He moved to Creede with his family in 1950 when he was 9 years old and made his way through the early rough and tumble years of Creede.

At a young age, he understood the importance of community and showed it by carrying wood for local widows. In his teenage years, he went to work at the local Cottonwood Cove and attended Creede Schools, graduating from Creede High School in 1961. Later, he would move on to the 4UR Ranch as a wrangler and guide. In the late-1960's, he became an underground miner and worked for the Emperius Mining Company and then Homestake Mining Company.

Leggitt began his interest in law enforcement as a deputy for Mineral County Sheriff Harry Larson. He would continue service in the sheriff’s department, becoming Undersheriff to Sheriff Jan Briggs. When the Homestake Mining Company began to close, Phil ran for Sheriff and was elected in 1982 and started his term in 1983. He was Mineral County Sheriff for 24 years, retiring in 2007. 

“He protected his county quietly and he knew Mineral County like the back of his hand,” said his wife, Diana.

“When someone new would blow into town, he was not afraid to get right out there and say, ‘Hi, I'm Sheriff Leggitt’ and if for some reason he didn't like the person, he was the first one to take them to the county line and they just knew not to come back to town. But that was him. He was kind while stern. He took so many secrets to his grave because he was professional as well. I'm sure there are a few people out there that took a sigh of relief when he passed away because of the secrets that man was determined to keep,” said daughter Nancy with a laugh.

Whether Phil was taking charge or passing the time with a story or two, one thing was for certain, no matter what he was doing it was out of a love he had for Creede.

Phil served on several boards, including Creede City Council, Mineral County Health Council, Mineral County Ambulance Board, Creede Underground Mining Museum/Community Center Board, Masonic Park Board and the Virginia Christianson Fund Committee. He was one of the area's first EMTs and a retired fireman. He served as Master of the Amethyst No. 94 Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Creede Elks Lodge. He was a JayCee and when the JayCees decided to start a theatre in Creede, Phil was involved in various ways to get the project off the ground, thus, the Creede Repertory Theatre was born. Phil was proud of his involvement with the early days of the theatre.

Phil has always been a community-minded person.

“Anyone who knew him knew that he really enjoyed talking to people. Strangers, friends, it really didn't matter who you were, he was the one that would be right there and start talking to you,” said Diana.

If one simply goes on social media to the local Creede Happenings Facebook page, it is more than obvious the countless lives Phil touched with his open personality and a free-flowing sense of humor.

“He represented Creede wherever we would go. It didn't matter where we were travelling, Phil was telling everyone who would listen about Creede. I don't think Creede would be as well-known as it is without Phil,” Diana said. 

Phil was a great one for giving nicknames to people. He would meet so many people and as he said one day, “When I meet someone, they only have one name to remember, I have a hundred,” so he would use a nickname to remember them, Diana said.

“Those nicknames have lasted for years, and it has gotten to the point, that I don't remember the right name for folks when I meet them,” said Diana. “I know that it was because he saw you. He saw you as a person and he saw something that was unique in everyone he met. We are going to miss him, but he lives on, right here in Creede with all of us,” added Nancy. 

Phil was married to Diana in 1974 and they have four children, Philip, Scott, Larry and Nancy.

“It wasn't easy sharing our dad with everyone. If there was an organization that would benefit Creede, he wanted to be a part of it. We knew we had made him proud when we became as involved as he was and stayed busy. My Mom recently said that it was difficult being married to a legend, but she was so strong, she handled it well,” Nancy said.

Phil wanted to make his town better by swearing-in kids as Junior Deputies and handing them little badges. As Phil quoted in the Creede Magazine, People of the Year 2006 edition, “I pride myself on serving everyone in the community, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how much money they make.”

Diana said, “Phil hung his sheriff’s hat for a fishing pole. His job was done.”