Captain Robert Emory Leonard, USN Retired, died June 5th 2018, in Hayesville, NC surrounded by his family. Born in Brunswick, Georgia on July 3, 1944; he grew up in Macon, Georgia. An Eagle Scout, he graduated with honors from Lanier High School in 1961 where he was a Lt Colonel in ROTC, Annual Editor and Fraternity President. He received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1967 as a NROTC scholarship student. He earned his wings in 1967 in Pensacola, Florida. As a helicopter pilot serving for 20 years and later a Squadron Commander, Bob served aboard many carriers and participated in numerous operations and missions. He retired after 26 years in 1993 as Captain.
After his retirement he lived in Lexington, South Carolina, while he worked for the State handling Medicaid Appeals Adjudication.
In 2005, Bob and his wife Patsy moved to Hayesville, North Carolina. He was very active in the Hayesville First United Methodist Church and the Hayesville community.
Bob will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by all his family and friends. His loving family will cherish the part he played in their lives.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Patricia Graham Leonard of Hayesville, NC; his sons and a daughter, Grant and Tammara Leonard, children Thomas Grant and Emory Grace; Mark and Pamela Leonard, daughter Hannah Mackenzie; Jill and Tony Stamps, daughter Lillian Mae of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; his one sister Mary Leonard Hurt and her husband Ashley Hurt of Macon, Georgia; and his first cousin Beth Leonard Soldwish of Hayesville, North Carolina.
He is preceded in death by his parents Emory and Ida Mae Leonard. His large extended family will always love and remember "Uncle Bobby".
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Hayesville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Kirk Hatherly will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the VFW Post 10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post #96 and D.A.V. Chapter #73 and American Legion Post #532 of Hayesville and VFW post #6812.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in memory of Captain Robert Emory Leonard to the Hayesville First United Methodist Church, PO Box 85, Hayesville, NC 28905, Good Shepherd Home Health and Hospice, 125 Medical Park Lane, Suite H, Murphy, NC 28906 or to the Clay County Food Pantry, PO Box 853, Hayesville, NC 28904.
Townson Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com