Leachman Thomas

Thomas Richards Leachman Jr. Thomas Richards Leachman Jr., AIA Architect, 106, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Westminster Canterbury Drinkard Health Center. Born in Lynchburg, on November 4, 1907, he was a son of the late Thomas Richards Leachman Sr. and Alice Ashby Leachman and was the widower of Dorothy "Dot" Lee Staples Leachman. He is survived by a niece, Miss Constance A. Via of Harrisonburg, Virginia; a nephew, Harold A. Via Jr. of Charlottesville, Virginia; and a brother-in-law, Dr. John Boswell of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Leachman Via; and by a half sister, Constance Carroll Leachman. He was a member of First Baptist Church and on the board of trustees, and finance committee. He was a graduate (dean's list) from the University of Virginia School of Architecture. He was employed by Pruitt & Brown in New York City from 1927 until 1929, Louis L. Scribner from 1929 until 1942 as their Chief Draftsman and joined the firm of Wiley and Wilson in 1942 where he was an architect and became a partner in 1960. In January of 1973, he became the Senior Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer and served as Director of Administration. Mr. Leachman was a registered Architect in nine states and the District of Columbia and holds the NCARB Certificate. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects. He retired from Wiley and Wilson after 50 years of professional life in architecture. He served on the Board of Overseers of Lynchburg College, The Board of Trustees of Seven Hills School and the Presidents Advisory Council of Randolph-Macon Woman's College. He also served on other Boards, Societies and Foundations. Mr. Leachman held the Thomas Fortune Ryan Scholarships for 1927 until 1929 and he received the Scarab Medal in Class A Design in 1929. His artistic hobbies include photography, art work and collecting classical music. He was also a lover of nature and reading various titles, including history, psychology, and spiritual direction and growth. Before and after retirement, he spent available time in traveling in 44 of the states, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Mr. Leachman also recently was asked to help publish a book with the University of Virginia School of Architecture entitled "My Memories of Studying Architecture at the University of Virginia School of Architecture during the Fall of 1925 through Graduation in June, 1929: Before and Beyond". A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014, at First Baptist Church with the Reverend James Newman officiating. Memorials may be considered for the University of Virginia School of Architecture or First Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia. Condolences may be made to diuguidfuneralservice.com. Diuguid Funeral Service and Crematory, Wiggington Chapel, in charge of arrangements.