Thomas Donald Leonard, Jr.

January 25, 1952 - February 1, 2025

Monroe, North Carolina - Tom "Tommy" Leonard passed away Saturday, February 1, 2025, after a brave battle with the effects of Parkinson's Disease and Dementia. He was surrounded by his wife, Ana, and other family and friends in the weeks before his passing. Tom was born January 25, 1952, in Columbia, SC, to the late Carolyn Ables Leonard and Thomas Donald Leonard. He grew up in Charlotte, NC with two younger siblings and enjoyed every day with his family and friends.

Tom graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1970, where he met many great friends that he loved and cherished for the rest of his life. He attended East Carolina University and Lenoir-Rhyne College. His close friends called him "Rock" and the family believed it was because he liked to sit and ponder the day. On a summer night in 1972 at the family dinner table he laughed and claimed that he had never been number one at anything. That day he had received a military draft number of two! He then volunteered to join the United States Army, 82nd Airborne, where he went on to make numerous paratrooper jumps, including one over Turkey where he became one of a few to fly to Europe without landing in the plane that took him there.

Tom met his loving wife, Ana Castillo, in 2007 while visiting his father in a Charlotte assisted living facility. They were married in 2009 and resided in Indian Trail, NC, where Tom worked for Harris-Teeter Grocers Distribution for over 40 years. He drove semi-trucks all over the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Florida while picking up and delivering large loads to grocery stores. He was proud to have a safe driving record of over one and one-half million miles during that time and was named Driver of the Year in 2016.

Tom grew up in Providence Baptist Church before joining Indian Trail Baptist Church just before he became disabled. He was an active follower of Christ throughout his life. He enjoyed blue-grass music and US History. Tom often traveled to Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields, Williamsburg, VA, and other historic sites. He loved to drive the backroads and hunt for mountain festivals and good southern food. He enjoyed college sports, stock-car racing, and pro football and baseball including the Atlanta Braves and Green Bay Packers. Tom and his brother traveled to various NASCAR races and 11 Major League Baseball parks over the years after seeing the New York Yankees as kids in 1962.

He is survived by his wife Ana; sister, Margaret Leonard Houston, of Colorado Springs, CO; and brother, Michael H. Leonard (Ann), of Charlotte; nieces, Katy Houston (Josh), Beth Houston, Kathy Leonard Frisch (Chad) and Caroline Rorie Mahon (Reilly); nephew, Will Rorie and special friend Betsy Rorie Leonard. Also surviving are his two uncles and one aunt, and many cousins. He was honored to be the oldest of 26 cousins on his mother's side and one of eight cousins on his father's side. He faithfully attended every family function as he was able.

The family would like to thank the staff of Atrium Health Union West and Atrium Health McWhorter Hospice House in Monroe, NC.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 12 p.m., on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, NC. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m., at Providence Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Memorials may be offered in memory of Tom to Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.