Leonard Hampton Holden Jr.

Leonard Hampton Holden Jr, age 91, of Hardy, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, May 26th at Ash Flat Nursing & Rehab in Ash Flat, Arkansas. Leonard was born on January 25th, 1932 in Mountain View, Missouri to parents Leonard Hampton Holden Sr. and Adell Newton. Leonard was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served his country faithfully during the Korean War.
Leonard is survived by his sons Tony & wife Patsy Miner and Kenton Holden; daughter L. Denise Miner; grandchildren Jonas Boyd, Kelsey Miner, and Christopher & wife Mary Kate Miner; brother Richard "Butch" & Wife Barbara Holden, as well as by many other family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce Holden, brother Chuck Holden, and sister Freda Mae Gamblin.
He was known as a hero to some, a legend to others, and to be the most interesting man in the world when you really got to know him. He was truly an icon.
As a physicist, Leonard spent most of his civil service career at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and Area 51 in Nevada. He owned several patents dealing with infrared technology and had numerous published scientific papers. Leonard always showed allegiance to his country by never indulging information he had through his top secret clearance. Even on his deathbed people were trying to get government secrets from him but he remained steadfast to the oath he swore to his country.
Leonard returned to his childhood home with his wife upon retirement. He became very involved in the community starting with donating a telescope and observatory to Highland High School; Highland High School is the only high school in the state with a working observatory. His other activities included being instrumental in the restoration of Hardy High School gymnasium, obtaining grant money to build a walking path along Spring River in Loberg Park, which he designed, and obtaining grant money for Mission of Hope in Hardy. His greatest contribution he felt, is the American Veterans Memorial in Ash Flat. He obtained grant money, designed it, supervised its construction, and obtained donated statues and artillery. At the time of his death, he was working on getting a helicopter donated to the memorial.
Leonard had numerous passions for collecting. Besides stamps and coins, he enjoyed making jewelry from rocks and woodworking. But his greatest passion was for the love of his life, his wife Joyce. The family believes he died from a broken heart.
He was a loyal airman, patriot, family man, friend, and great community activist. His memory will remain forever in the community.
The celebration of life for Leonard will be held on Wednesday, May 31st at Wortham Funeral Home Oak Hill Chapel in Hardy, Arkansas. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., with funeral service starting at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery in Highland, Arkansas.