Roy M. Leeth Jr.

Roy M. Leeth, Jr., age 91, went to be with his Lord Jesus, on August 15, 2026. Born on November 13, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the son of the late Roy and Mildred Leeth and the brother of the late Betty Leeth. Roy grew up in the Central Park Community, attending Central Park Elementary School and graduating from West End High School in 1953. He went on to earn an electrical engineering degree from Auburn University in 1957. A Registered Professional Engineer, Roy dedicated 44 years to his profession, working for Rust Engineering in Birmingham, Uniroyal Tire Company in Opelika, Promac Engineering, and Hendon Engineering. In the early 1960s he worked for Chrysler Aerospace where he contributed to the development of the Saturn rocket, which powered the Apollo program and transported astronauts to the moon. Roy served as a 2nd lieutenant at the 362 Signal Company at Camp Gordon and over seven years in the Army Standby Reserve in Birmingham, retiring as a Captain.

His early years in Central Park shaped a quintessential, adventurous American childhood. Born at home at 2104 46th Place West before moving next door to 2108 46th Place—a house his father bought for cash during the Great Depression—Roy possessed a boundless curiosity and a brilliant knack for inventing his own fun. He spent countless hours skating across Central Park, exploring caves, walking railroad tracks, catching crawfish, and watching planes at the local airport. His youth was filled with neighborhood camaraderie, from building tree houses and soap-box cars to tinkering with his Erector Set and playing with his beloved toy Marx electric train—a keepsake he treasured his entire life. He also shared a classic bond with nature, catching lightning bugs for lanterns, training June bugs as flying pets, and protecting the family chickens with his trusted Red Ryder BB gun, all while earning pocket change mowing lawns with a push mower for twenty-five cents.

These vibrant childhood pastimes unfolded against a backdrop of profound family dedication and resilience. Roy watched his mother provide round-the-clock care for his physically and mentally challenged older sister, Betty Jean, and later, during World War II gas rationing, navigate a grueling all-day commute via streetcar and bus just to maintain their monthly picnics at Partlow State School. Roy’s youth was also defined by his father’s resourceful nature, from painting visual navigation arrows on barn roofs for Depression-era pilots to serving as a wartime block air raid warden.

Roy carried this spirit of hard work, craftsmanship, and simple pleasures into adulthood. He shared his father’s passion for the outdoors, spending decades building and enjoying rustic family cabins along Hurricane Creek and Lay Lake. He was incredibly proud of his family's roots—stretching back to the seaport of Leith, Scotland—and of his father's lifelong career as a master house painter who mixed his own paints by hand. Roy also cherished the memory of his mother, who balanced homemaking with seasonal work at Sears and hand-knitting baby shoes for local department stores.

Deeply civic-minded, Roy served his communities with distinction. He was the President of the Opelika Exchange Club, President of the Lee County Fair Association, and later, President of the Central Park Boys Association. An active volunteer, he dedicated his time to Disaster Relief, Food for Friends, and served as an enthusiastic tour guide for the Statue of Vulcan. Roy and Carol volunteered at Virginia Samford Theater and Red Mountain Theater. Believing firmly in education, Roy was a volunteer math tutor for both a Christian school and a local GED program. He was also the heart of his high school alumni network, serving as the main organizer and planner for the 48th, 50th, 55th, and 60th reunions of the West End High School Class of 1953, alongside their monthly alumni meetings. After the death of his wife Carol, Roy reconnected with an old classmate from West End High School. His loving relationship with Mary Ann Glover over the past five years gave him a renewed passion for life and brought healing to his heart as they shared meals together and enjoyed the simplicity of each other’s presence.

Roy was deeply devoted to his faith and was active in his churches, including the First Baptist Church of Opelika, where he served as a deacon and long-time Sunday School teacher to the young married couples. Most recently he was a member of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham. His lifelong hobbies included fishing, physical fitness, and genealogy.

Roy was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Carol Posey Leeth, and his grandson, Josiah Leeth. He is survived by his son, Scott Leeth (Boudhsalinh), granddaughter, Rachel Heidi Muñoz (Sebastian), and great-grandchildren, Liana and Levi Muñoz, all of Dahlonega, GA; his son, Alan Leeth (Tamsin) and grandchildren, Davis and Kate, all of Shoal Creek, AL; and his son, Clark Leeth (Toni) and granddaughters, Emma and Virginia, all of Mountain Brook, AL.

Visitation will start at 1pm, with a service celebrating Roy's life following at 2pm on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Johns-Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211. Rev. Rick Ousley will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The Church at Brook Hills: https://www.brookhills.org/give/