Pete Leonard

On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, Pierce (Pete) Dorsett Leonard, Jr. graduated from his earthly realm to the eternal.  After a courageous twelve year battle with cancer, he spent his last days on earth surrounded by family and friends. 

His story began on June 11, 1945 in Swainsboro, Georgia.  Born to Pierce Dorsett, Sr. and Elizabeth Tyson Leonard, Pete was the baby of seven children.  His parents instilled in him the true values of love, kindness, honesty and the desire to achieve your life’s goals.  After graduating from Swainsboro High School in 1963, he attended Georgia Southern College (now University) where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Business and Marketing.  Upon graduation, he was hired by R. J. Reynolds tobacco, Co. as a sales representative in the Georgetown, SC area.  However, before he could assume his new position, he was called up by the Georgia National Guard and had to spend his six months active duty at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC.  Shortly after completing his basic training, he returned to his career at Reynolds.  Later, he was offered a position by his brothers to work for them at Leonard Aluminum Bldgs., Inc.  He spent his first several years setting up sales locations in Knoxville, TN and Richmond, VA before moving to Mount Airy, NC to supervise the building of the new manufacturing facility and set up production.  In his later years, he formed his own company, Leonard Auto Sales.  Most recently his ambition to continuously succeed came to reality when he, Trey, and Travis established the Golf Cart Outlet of Mount Airy. 

Pete’s influence reached far beyond the norm, “Pard” brought a dynamic to his family and friends that may never be duplicated.  Everyone’s memories, however unique, will provide humorous entertainment and enjoyment for a life time.

Those left with the task of carrying on Pete’s loving memory are his wife of 50 years, Helen Belcher Leonard; his son, Trey Leonard and his wife, Tina of Mount Airy; a brother, Tyson Leonard and his wife, Sandy of Independence, VA; two sisters-in-law, June Leonard of Charlotte, NC and Sue Lanier of Cary, NC; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Ramsey of AZ and Aaron Belcher and his wife, Vicki of Statesboro, GA; a special nephew/brother, Jimmy Leonard of Pinckard, AL, many nieces and nephews; and an abundance of surrogate children and grandchildren.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Sarah Leonard; his sister, Diana Leonard Ramsey; and four brothers, Mike, Dick, Jim and Frosty Leonard.

A celebration of Pete’s life will be held Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 4:00 PM at Flat Rock Baptist Church officiated by Dr. Jon Cawley.  The family will visit Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the church.  Memorials may be made to the Flat Rock Baptist Church, PO Box 587, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or any charity of the donor’s choice.