Jonathan Pratt Leavitt

Jonathan Pratt Leavitt died unexpectedly of a health issue on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at the age of 51 years old.

Jonathan was a lifelong resident of Albuquerque. He graduated from the Albuquerque Academy and attended New College in Sarasota, Florida. He worked at service jobs ranging from childcare to home care. He is predeceased by his father Chris, and survived by his soul mate and partner Michelle Ellis, his mother Joyce, and four siblings, Steve, Rick, Karin, and Suzanne.

Jonathan was a creative artist and musician. He played, improvised, and composed music for the French horn, piano, and native flutes. His compositions to commemorate events were always evocative and emotional, and suited for the occasion. He sang with the church choir, and also enjoyed playing duets with Michelle. He had a deep respect for people of different cultures and enjoyed traveling.

He was a gifted mathematician with a genius for spatial visualization which informed his art. Examples include polyhedral sculptures of astounding beauty and complexity created from fractal imagery, or beautiful complicated paper cuts, with images on faces reflecting an underlying symmetry. He presented this art at the national Bridges Conference on mathematical connections in art, music, architecture, and culture. Anyone who understood the mathematical sophistication of his art could not help but be amazed by his mind.

All who knew Jonathan understood that creativity and kindness infused his entire being. He was an avid lover of animals of all types and loved to bring his snakes or other unusual pets to any gathering, where he would often find himself surrounded by people interested in his unusual companions. He believed that our world is not static and impersonal, that all elements are animated by a strong and spiritual life force. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Private services will be held for him this week. All are invited to his Life Celebration of his life at a later date.

Donations on behalf of Jonathan's life can be made to the Second Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, or to the New Mexico chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).