Mr. Leonard Grier Nance Jr.

Leonard Grier Nance, Jr., of Tobaccoville, N.C., passed away on October 21, 2011 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home surrounded by family. He was the first born of 5 children to Leonard Grier Nance, Sr., and Odessa Hudson Nance. He was born on March 30, 1923 in Winston-Salem, N.C. He lived in the Forsyth County area his entire life with most of it in Tobaccoville, NC. He graduated from Old Richmond High School. He joined the Air Force when he was 19 during WWII. He was a Tech Sgt. in the 8th Army Air Corp, 398th Bomb Group, 603rd Squadron. He was stationed in Nuthampstead, England. He was the last surviving member of his crew. He was a radio operator gunner on a B-17 and flew 23 missions. He returned home and attended Lenoir-Rhyne College for 2 years. He worked at and retired from Western Electric in 1981.

He married June Louise Hancock on September 29, 1950. They were the parents of 4 children, one of which they lost at the age of 8 in 1962, Cheryl Jean. He was a devout Christian and member of the Jefferson Church of Christ in Rural Hall, N.C., all of his life. Part of that time serving as an Elder in the church. He loved traveling, being with his family, and UNC Tarheels.

He is survived by his wife, June whom he stood beside through many years of suffering with Alzheimers and had just celebrated their 61st anniversary. He also leaves behind his children, Cathy Carpenter and husband, Bernard, Lynn Luper and husband, Paul, Randy Nance and wife, Sheila. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Jamie Whitt, Chris Whitt, Brandie Bailey, Joshua Helmly, Brittany Pritchett, Tiffany Nance, and Courtney Nance. He lost his beloved granddaughter Brooke Butner at the age of 24 to Cystic Fibrosis. He also leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his four sisters, Norma Colter, Faye Thacker, Martha Marshall, Judy Cole and husband, Grady. All of his family lived within minutes of him. He loved and supported his family as long as his health allowed.

There will be family visitation at Jefferson Church of Christ in Rural Hall Sunday, October 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00. The funeral service will be at Jefferson Church also on Monday, October 24th at 1:00 with Minister Jerry Simpkins officiating. The family would appreciate that instead of flowers, donations be made to Jefferson Church of Christ for the Jackson Helmly Kidney Transplant Fund. Jackson is his 1 -1/2 year old great grandson who was born with a kidney disease. He had both kidneys removed when he was 2 weeks old.

The family would like to say thank you to the staff at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem for the wonderful job they did in caring for our Father at and us during his last days and also to Senior Services for providing their services for his care as his health declined. Frank Vogler & Sons Reynolda Chapel is assisting the family. On-line condolences and floral tributes may be made at www.frankvoglerandsons.com.