Nelson Leatherman

1974 - 2022

Nelson Leatherman

May 2, 1974 - February 9, 2022

Nelson Tod Leatherman, 47, of Catawba, unexpectedly passed away Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at home, surrounded by his family.

He was born May 2, 1974, to Marvin and Brenda Bell Leatherman. He was the youngest of three siblings. Nelson grew up in Catawba County, leaving a mark on everyone, everywhere he went. Nelson was a graduate of Bandys High School, and spent most of his adult life working at CommScope. He served for several years as a volunteer firefighter in the community and as a local EMT. Nelson spent several years serving as a deacon for the church, serving those in the community.

As a young boy, he spent time with his siblings, played with neighborhood friends, and worked on family farms. Nelson was multi-talented throughout his life. You can find newspaper clippings of him riding a unicycle for the P.E. Club. He played tennis, basketball, football, and golf. He was the leader of the Zoo-Crew, the original student section at Bandys. He was in and competed for FFA (ask someone about the stolen pineapple from the FFA National Convention).

Nelson was an avid and consistent member of the Balls Creek Optimist Club, where he spent many years coaching sport after sport - football, baseball, and basketball. On football Friday nights, you could find him in the press box running the score clock, running his mouth, and making people laugh. He spent many years working in the press box at Bandys during baseball games, playing music, cracking jokes, and running the scoreboard. In the off chance he had a day off, he would be subbing at local schools in Catawba County. You could find him in the shack at the Balls Creek Campground scooping ice cream - the biggest scoops you could ask for.

After meeting in kindergarten, Nelson and his wife, Angela Lail Leatherman, spent many years together. Nelson and Angie were married for 26 wonderful years — an example of true, unconditional love. During their marriage, they had many adventures — including raising two children, son, Noah Shane Leatherman (24) and daughter, Chloe Raye Leatherman (21).

Nelson loved spending time with family, friends, people he knew, and even people he didn't know, he never met a stranger. If asked, his favorite thing to do was sit on the beach or look for shark teeth. He loved Jesus, and loved to tell people about him. He was a hard-working, good-natured, kind, loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Nelson was always generous, always willing to lend a hand, help someone in need, steadfast in his faith, and a wonderful provider for his family. His love and care for others was insurmountable.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Dean Leatherman; father-in-law, Ray Eugene "R.E." Killian; paternal and maternal grandparents; and uncles.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Angela Lail Leatherman; son, Noah Shane Leatherman and fiancée, Morgan E. Murphy; daughter, Chloe Raye Leatherman and fiancé, Samuel N. Autrey; parents, Marvin and Brenda Leatherman; siblings, sister, Abby Lanes and husband, Ted; and late brother, Douglas Leatherman and wife, Anissa; sister-in-law, Melissa Henry and husband, Steven Henry; mother-in-law, Pamela Killian and late husband, R.E. Killian; father-in-law, Danny Lail; nephews, Mason Henry and wife, Taylor, and Brady Leatherman; nieces, Emma Henry, Carter Leatherman, Cameron Lanes and Jacqueline Lanes; and great-nephew, Sawyer Grant Henry, due April 12, 2022.

A service to celebrate Nelson's life will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m., at Mt. Ruhama Baptist Church in Maiden. Pastor Kenny Mills, Home Church, Thomas Nicholson, will officiate, and doors will be open around 5:30 p.m., for seating, singing, and a series of photos of Nelson's life. There will be a gathering of family and friends immediately after the service in the Family Life Center. We ask that if you attend, please dress casually. Some suggestions of Nelson's favorites would be Huk shirts (or something similar), jeans, Dude shoes, Bandys attire, or something casual.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Home Church, 7919 Natalie Commons Dr., Denver, NC 28037 in Nelson's honor, or you can give online at www.myhomechurch.cc/give - Put in Honor of Nelson Leatherman in the memo.

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