H. LeRoy Deabler

1944 - 2026

H. LeRoy Deabler

January 24, 1944 - January 16, 2026

On Friday, January 16, 2026, Herdis LeRoy Deabler passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Sarah (nee Henley) of Concord, NC, his sons Greg of Montverde, FL, and Kevin of Boston, MA, daughters-in-law Danielle and Jennifer, and his grandchildren Brooke, Ashley, Andrew, Fiona and Nolan. He is also survived by his sisters JoAnn Crawford (Frank) and Beth Corwin (Rick). He was predeceased by his sister, Donna J. Durant.

LeRoy was born on January 24, 1944 in Aurora, Illinois to his parents, Dr. Herdis L Deabler and Oleva Deabler. He spent his youth in Gulfport, MS. He was a graduate of Hingham (MA) High School and Ohio Wesleyan University. LeRoy met Sarah in Scarborough, ME, while he was a lifeguard and she was a waitress at the Atlantic House Inn. They married in 1966. He was drawn to serving community health, which led him to study Healthcare Management at Columbia University in New York City. During the Vietnam war era he was a commissioned officer for the United States Public Health Service under the Surgeon General. He later served as a Hospital Administrator in Toledo, Ohio, Wooster, Ohio, and Littleton, NH. He moved to Concord, NC, in 1988 to serve as Administrator of the H&M Medical Clinic. In 1990 he directed the design of Pakistan's first cancer hospital in Lahore. In 1992 he served as a surveyor for The Joint Commission-the country's leading healthcare accreditation agency.

LeRoy was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Concord for over 37 years, serving on the leadership council and teaching men's Sunday School. He tutored numerous immigrant children, helping them adjust to their new lives in Cabarrus County. He led several missions to build churches in Costa Rica. This volunteerism late in his life earned him a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. Over his life he was active in the Rotary Club, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American Hospital Association.

He enjoyed an active life traveling and visiting family with Sarah, playing tennis, skiing, and hiking with Greg and Kevin, and being with his grandchildren regardless of where they lived. He was a tennis referee for the USTA for local college and amateur competitions. Bridge was a passion late in his life- he enjoyed the competition and the many relationships it created for Sarah and himself.

His family is deeply appreciative of the care he received from his family, friends, healthcare professionals and his hospice nurse, Jenna, and caregiver, Tina, during his battle with pancreatic cancer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm, on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Central United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Stacey Lundy. The family will greet friends following the service in the Coltrane Memorial Room.

Memorials may be given to Central United Methodist Church, 30 Union Street North, Concord, NC 28025, or to the American Cancer Society.

Wilkinson Funeral Home

www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com