JAMES EVERETT LEACH

1919 - 2014

JAMES EVERETT LEACH, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather ,95, of Huntington, widower of Elizabeth Ann Moss Leach, passed away Thursday, September 4, 2014 at the Emogene Dolin-Jones Hospice House in Huntington. He was born on August 10, 1919 in Huntington, a son of the late Everett P. and Mamie E. (Nichols) Leach. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles E. Leach and a sister, Evelyn Wright; and a special companion, Phyllis Ferguson. He is survived by his children, Marie (Edward) Maunz of Cincinnati, Ohio, James E. (Sheila) Leach Jr. of Huntington, Amy (David) Aluise of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lynn (Jamie) Ferguson of Wayne, and Margaret (Pete) Muth of Huntington; grandchildren, Melissa (Phillip) Schnell, James (Louise) Maunz, Andrew (Kira) Maunz, James E. (Stephanie) Leach III, Ryan B. Leach, Christopher D. (Amy) Aluise, Kelly M. (David) Kelly, Courtney L. Aluise, Michael J. Aluise and his fiance Chelsea Chapman, Park Ferguson, Joseph Ferguson, Elizabeth Ferguson, Megan Muth and her fiance Aaron McClung and Petie Muth; great-grandchildren, Sophie Rene Schnell, Claudia Rose Schnell, Charlotte Ruth Schnell, Emory Elizabeth Maunz, Margot Florence Maunz, Julianne Olivia Leach, Brooklyn Elizabeth Leach, Evan Bruno Aluise and Lydia Margaret Muth-McClung; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. Mr. Leach was a proud veteran of the United States Army where he served in the Italian Theater in WWII. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Ribbon of World War II. He was a founding member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Huntington and a member of Nativity of Our Lord in Wayne. He was also a member of American Legion Post 16 and the West Virginia Contractors Association and President of E.P. Leach and Sons, Inc. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 8, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church with Father Dean Borgmeyer officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Huntington. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Beard Mortuary, Huntington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Hospice of Huntington in Mr. Leach's honor. Online condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.beardmortuary.com.