Leon L. Kortz

Leon Lester Kortz was born in Cloquet, Minnesota on February 27, 1931, to Charles Ernest Jr. and Ruth Hoscheid Kortz. He was the oldest of 6 children – Charles Ernest, III, Virginia Howell and Margaret who predeceased their brother: survived by Irene Davis and Elaine Merila and her husband, James. He graduated from Litchfield High School, salutatorian of his class; spent a year at the University of Minnesota and was accepted by West Point where he graduated in 1954.

Right after his graduation, he married Adrienne Whigam Eager, daughter of Samuel W. Eager and Elizabeth Muriel Whigam, on June 9th. Their marriage lasted 66 years until Adrienne’s death on July 15, 2020. They raised 5 children: Nancy Elizabeth, Laura Lee, Gregory Alan, Annaliese and Robert Eugene. In 1958, Leon transferred to the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Dayton, Ohio; Livermore, California; Alexandria, Virginia and Rome, New York where he retired in 1975 as a Lt. Colonel.

Leon moved to Greensboro, NC with his family because he loved the hills and abundance of trees, and it was just a 10-hour drive to Yankee Lake where he and his family spent summers at Yankee Lake and to Florida to visit family in the winter. He loved to drive anywhere at any time. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels once a month and drove veterans to and from area VA hospitals. He hated giving up driving at the age of 92 when his children took over taking him to museums, casinos and family functions.

He became an active member of All Saints Episcopal church where he served as an usher, a Sunday morning reader of lessons, a delegate for the diocese and chairman of Crop Walk and the Food Lion Food Drive. Leon was also a member of the New Garden Moose Lodge for 15 years, donated his blood to the American Red Cross throughout his life and he also supported many charities by mail.

In his younger years, he was a youth soccer coach for several years. He and his wife joined several bowling leagues and Dad continued bowling on the Monday Morning Seniors league at Spare Time right up to 2 weeks before his death. He loved his family and was always willing to help anyone he could. His good humor and love extended to his grandchildren- Leandra E., John Anthony, and Michael Christopher and to his great-grandchildren – Chase Bray, Shayla Adrienne, Amara Elizabeth and Annabella Cooper.

Leon, who also answered to Lee, will be missed by all who knew him. The celebration of his life will be on March 22, 2025, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4211 Wayne Road in Greensboro, NC 27407. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the church’s parish hall with his life in photos. His service will be held in the church proper at 3:00 p.m. There will be a military gun salute at the conclusion of the service. Then a reception will be held in the parish hall for food and refreshments until 6:00 p.m.

For those who cannot attend in person, or in lieu of flowers, the family asks you send a donation in his name to All Saints Episcopal, DAV - disabled American veterans, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, or any charity of your choice. He would appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com