Dr. James Joel Leonard

Dr. James Joel Leonard, 74, of Paddington Drive, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at his home after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Paul's Chapel United Church of Christ, 2791 W. Center St. Ext., by the Rev. Dr. David Ambroso. Born in Davidson County on July 6, 1933, Dr. Leonard graduated from Welcome High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee at Memphis and practiced medicine in Kentucky, California and Lexington, where he also served as coroner for Davidson County. He was a captain in the California Army Reserve National Guard Medical Corps. He received a Gold Star from the American TB Association and a Meritorious Service Medal Citation from President Richard Nixon for excellent service for the draft board. In 2006, VFW Post 2087 in Greensboro honored Dr. Leonard with the Community Service Award and the Americanism Award. He was a member of the Men's Bible Class at Paul's Chapel UCC, American Legion Posts 512-150 in Reeds, American Legion Post 8 and the Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Moton Leonard; his mother, Verdie T. Leonard; and two brothers, Reyanauld T. Leonard and William Carol Leonard. Surviving are five sons, Joel A. Leonard and Lorin Leonard and his wife, Mary, all of Lexington, Dr. Andre Leonard and his wife, Angie, of Wilmington, and Tim Leonard and Todd Leonard, both of Huntersville; a daughter, Cheri Leonard-Rabbanni and her husband, Nabil, of San Jose, Calif; two sisters, LaRue Cline and her husband, Leon, of Lexington and Nancy Baker and her husband, Jim, of Martinsville, Va.; a brother, Wayne Leonard of Lexington; seven grandchildren, Amanda Leonard of Greensboro, Baker Leonard of Lexington, Allison and Jenna Rabbanni of San Jose, Calif., and Waverly, Manly and Silas Leonard, all of Wilmington; and nine nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3:30 at the church before the service. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Leonard asked that memorials be made to the genealogy department of the Davidson County Public Library or to Paul's Chapel UCC.