Scott Webster Leonard

Scott Leonard, son of Stan and Beth Leonard, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 25, 2024. Scott was born in Durham, NC on February 28, 1985.

For those of us that grew up with Scott in the North Davidson area, he was a force at whatever he threw himself into through his elementary, middle, and high school days. A thoughtful, dear friend to many but also a fierce competitor from a young age. He scored goals on the soccer field, punished people on the football field, and, for my money, is still the best pound-for-pound basketball rebounder the Leonard family has ever seen. With all that said—man, could that dude swim. With size 14 flippers and baseball mitts for hands, he set multiple North Davidson High School records while competing for state titles.

In his early life, Scott developed friendships often and easily. First was making lifelong friends with the fellow neighborhood children on Lanier Drive and Courtney Lane. On any given afternoon, a young Scott could be found making his rounds between houses, creeks, and walking the streets with the group. Given the timely, and always proper, influence the elder statesmen of the neighborhood provided, there was never a shortage of mischief, skirmishes, and backwoods exploring to fill the days. During his high school years, Scott broadened this group substantially. Scott, Thomas Roach, Mike Whisnant, and Brandon Essick became nearly joined at the hip through those years. While not a time for stories here, I must say that group of friends demonstrated a loyalty that is unsurpassed in my eyes and exists in perpetuity. They went on to create a vast network of friends and family within that context of loyalty. All the brothers, sisters, parents, friends, and spouses of each came together as a larger group through the years to the point that all of us, no matter the time or place, recognize that loyalty and friendship. You know who you are, and Scott knew who you were.

Scott’s career in the steel erection industry was nothing short of remarkable. He began work as an Ironworker for Buckner Steel Erection in 2005. As an Ironworker, his job-specific role was that of a connector. Those are the guys you see on TV walking the high steel and hanging off the sides of the building while trying to make a steel beam connection 100 feet in the air. He was that guy. Scott was promoted to a Superintendent position in 2011 which he held for the past 13 years. In that supervisory role, spanning a career between Buckner Steel and American Steel, he completed work on many high-profile projects in the Southeastern United States. Scott worked on hospitals, schools, airports, manufacturing hubs, bridges, and everything in between. Having worked alongside him for much of that career, I am confident in saying that he knew his craft well. He created friendships and relationships with colleagues and contractors wherever he went. He was an enormous contributor to the construction industry and will be missed.

Between all of that, Scott built a family. He met Tinne De Coster in Saint Maarten, while building a hotel, in 2006. They married in 2007 and welcomed their son, Vince De Coster Leonard, into this world in 2011. Scott loved Vince so very much and was an immensely proud father. Scott was a son, brother, husband, father, nephew, cousin, and friend. He was a proud member of the Leonard family. We will miss his big hugs, warm smile, and timely wit. As his little brother, he was my hero. I looked up to him and turned to him so many times over the years for guidance, counsel, and direction. He was my best friend, and I will miss him in a way that cannot be verbalized.

Scott is preceded in death by grandfather, J.W. Leonard and grandmother, Libby Leonard. Scott is survived by spouse, Tinne De Coster Leonard; son, Vince De Coster Leonard; father, Stan Leonard, mother, Beth Leonard, brother, Kevin Leonard. Note: As is the case with most Leonard’s, there are too many here to name. Again, you know who you are, and Scott knew who you were.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Scott held at Weathervane Winery (1452 Welcome-Arcadia Rd Lexington, NC 27295) on April 6, 2024, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. All friends and family are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations  be made to NDHS - Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Scott.