He is survived by his adoring wife of 58 years, Lucille; two children, Donna Farrar and her husband, James, and Timothy Raynor, all of Orange, Virginia. He was "Papa" to his two grandchildren on whom he doted and was dedicated to, Jason S. Farrar of Ruckersville, Virginia, and Kayli Raynor of Orange, Virginia. His surviving brother, Robert Smith and his wife, Barbara, reside in Manassas, Virginia. He is also survived by a host of in-laws, nieces, and nephews about whom he cared deeply.
Leonard was a hardworking soul. He served two years with the United States Army in Germany and Lebanon from 1957 until 1959. He worked for numerous years at Virginia Metal Industries in Orange, Virginia. He was also a paint contractor and he devoted 23 years to Orange County High School, where he took great pride in the building he cared for and the people in it. Over the years, he loved planting his garden in an effort to satisfy his love of tomatoes until he ran out of strategies to keep the deer away. In his retirement, he was a genius at lawnmower repair; he spent his time fixing mowers for friends and those others said could not be fixed.
Leonard was also a social man and McDonald's in Orange was his meeting place. He leaves behind dear and treasured friends with whom he spent many hours laughing, talking, and solving the world's problems. Those relationships cultivated over milkshakes and coffees brought him great joy. His friends, men he knew he could call and count on, are Alan Johnson, Vernon Holmes, his brother-in-law, David Raynor, Dallas "Tex" Smithson, and Thomas Woolfolk.
Leonard will be sorely and deeply missed as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Those who knew him will not forget his mischievous grin, twinkling blue eyes, and hardworking hands.
A memorial funeral service was held on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Orange Community Baptist Church, Old Gordonsville Road, Orange. The family received friends on Monday, December 22, 2014, from 6 until 7 p.m. at the church.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Orange County Rescue Squad or the Orange Fire and EMS. Preddy Funeral Home of Orange, assisted the family.
