James Leonard Lettner

James Leonard Lettner, of Henrico, Virginia, formerly of Montpelier, passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Lois Reynolds Lettner.

Born in Prince William County, Virginia, on June 22, 1937, to the late Fred Charles Lettner and Myrtle Tyler Lettner, he was raised in Spotsylvania County. After graduating from Spotsylvania High School in 1954, he entered the United States Army, becoming a member of the 11th Airborne Division (known as the "Angels") stationed in Germany. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, James entered the Virginia State Police Academy, graduating in July of 1960. He began his career as a trooper stationed in Suffolk, Virginia, and retired in Richmond in 1994 having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Above all, he cherished his work as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He was devoted to law enforcement but also to carpentry, using his skills, and those of several State Police colleagues, to build his home in Montpelier, as well as to create a variety of pieces of furniture for his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Lois, he is survived by his daughters Loretta L. Lettner of Fredericksburg, Teresa L. Lawson and husband Thomas (Tommy) of Appomattox, and Julia L. Hester and husband Jerry of Richmond; three grandchildren, J. Parker Lawson and wife Kara of Appomattox, C. MacLemore Hester, and C. Reynolds Hester of Richmond; his sisters, Doris Ann Reeves of Huntsville, Ala., and Geraldine Calavetinos of Locust Grove, Va.; three step-grandchildren, Alison L. Roedder and husband Chad of Lookout Mountain, Ga., Mark M. Lawson of Appomattox, and Jill E. Lawson of Hagerstown, Md.; and six great-grandchildren, Parker Ries Lawson, Kaydance Magee, W. Chapman Roedder, Mim A. Roedder, Destiny C. Lawson, and Rebecca Y. Lawson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Charles Kenneth Lettner and Carson Lee Lettner and his grandson John "Jack" Barrett Lawson.


The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Home in Fredericksburg.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 25, 2019, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at the Spotsylvania Confederate Cemetery, Spotsylvania Courthouse.

The family is especially grateful to Tara Johns, Rebekah Bailey, and Hospice of Virginia for their compassionate care over the past several months. In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Building Fund, 15583 Coatesville Rd., Beaverdam, Va., 23015.