Paul Gerhardt Leonard, age 90, of Hickory, NC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at his residence. Born March 14, 1928, in Catawba County, NC, he was the son of the late Vernon Olin Leonard and Augusta Caroline Kyaw Leonard.
Paul was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church in Newton, NC. He had retired from the construction industry as a pipe insulator and was a veteran of the US Army. Paul enjoyed working in his yard, farming, and helping family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Grace Keisler Leonard; infant daughter, Paulette Leonard; brothers, Olin Leonard, Belk Leonard, and Eli Leonard; sisters, Elizabeth L. Stahl and Charlotte L. Seagle; son-in-law, William “Bill” Buffington.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Joyce Buffington of Conover, NC; sons, Dennis Leonard and wife Nancy of Hickory, NC, and Allen Leonard and wife Trudy of Hickory, NC; grandchildren, Stephanie Russell and husband Chad, Aeron Leonard, Jennifer Leonard, Bradley Misenheimer and wife Heather, and Stacy Smith and husband Ashley; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Mattie, Lily, McKenna, Allison, and Haley; and sister-in-law, Rachel Keisler of Morganton, NC.
The funeral service will be held at 3:30 PM on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Gil Gilbert and Rev. Dr. Nancy Carol Stahl officiating. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 2:15 to 3:15 PM on Saturday. The burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 4536 Hickory-Lincolnton Hwy, Newton, NC, 28658.
Condolences may be sent to the Leonard family at www.drumfh-conover.com.
The Leonard family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremations in Conover.
