Charles Douglas Leonard, Sr. (81) of West Columbia, South Carolina, passed away on January 10, 2021, due to complications from bladder cancer and COVID-19.
Charles was born on January 26, 1939, in Cardwell, Missouri, to the late Clarence Ezra (Red) Leonard and Edna Leona Waldrop Leonard. He graduated from Cardwell High School. Soon after graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was transferred to Charleston, South Carolina, where he met his future wife.
Charles was an extremely friendly outgoing man that never met a stranger. He loved reading, history and genealogy and would talk to anyone who would listen about his ancestors and background and was interested in learning about theirs. He was an avid gun collector and enjoyed hunting when he got the chance. He loved old country and western music and passed that love on to his grandchildren. He was an entrepreneur who ran a successful business well into his 70’s. He sat on the board of the Midlands Center Disabilities Services. His greatest joy was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grands. He was a very generous man and will be missed by many people.
Charles is survived by his wife of 61 years, Annette Fralix Leonard; four children, Tracey Leonard Huff (Larry), Charles Douglas Leonard, Jr. (Susan), Melissa Leonard Mallory (Bobby), and Kelly Leonard Anderson (David); eleven grandchildren, Matthew Huff; Megan Leonard Harness (Chris), Douglas Leonard, Lydia Leonard, Paul Leonard (Drew); Chip Mallory, Ashley Mallory Lindler (Jonathan), Kathryn Mallory Smith (Cody), Natalie Mallory; Mickey Anderson (Katherine), and Dylan Anderson; six great grandchildren, Hunter Watts, Grayson Harness, Weston Harness, Crew Harness, Theo Leonard, and Kolton Smith (with two more forthcoming); sister, Bernice Leonard Tutterow of Memphis, TN; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Alice Leonard Metheny, and a brother, Bobby Gene Leonard.
A private service for the family will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel. An attempt will be made to stream the service so that others may safely participate. Donations may be made to Midlands Center 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC, 29203 (awright@ddsn.sc.gov); Oliver Gospel Mission, 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201 (www.olivergospel.org); or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, (www.StJude.org).
Online register at Barr-Price.com
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