Leonard B. Salley

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 59 years, Lynda Curlee Salley, his daughters Sherri Doxey (Craig) and Debbie Brabrand (Scott), and his beloved grandchildren Alexandra and Rachel Doxey and Bennett and William Brabrand. He is also survived by his twin brother George Mackay Salley (Eleanor) and close cousin Lawton Salley. Leonard was preceded in death by his brother Michael Gramling Salley, Jr (Penny).

Born in Columbia, SC on April 23, 1941, he was raised in Orangeburg, SC. Leonard, his brothers, and cousin were inseparable. He gained a strong work ethic in his youth as an acclaimed paper boy in the morning and school bus driver in the afternoon. His future love of music and a good march started as a member and captain of the high school marching band.

Leonard attended The Citadel Military College of South Carolina where he was a member of Band Company. Upon graduating in 1963, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and initially assigned to Washington DC where he began his service in Naval Intelligence. He proudly served on active duty and in the Naval Reserves for 32 years, retiring as a Captain after commanding the Reserve Intelligence Area 14 command.

Leonard expertly applied his Navy computer programming skills and experience in civilian life as a programmer and salesperson for several technology companies, capped by starting his own videoconferencing/distance learning company that brought educational opportunities to underrepresented rural areas.

He was a faithful member of Chamblee First United Methodist Church for 54 years, serving in a variety of leadership roles and volunteering countless hours.

Leonard loved his family, traveling, and gardening. He especially enjoyed sharing his abundance of tomatoes with family and friends each summer. His servant’s heart for his family, friends, church, community, and country will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, May 13th, at Chamblee First UMC. The service will be live streamed via Chamblee First UMC for friends and family unable to attend. The family will be receiving guests at a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Chamblee First UMC Music Ministry, 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30341 or the Summerall Chapel Maintenance endowment, care of The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409.