Jack Leatherwood

Waynesville-Jack Medford Leatherwood, age 82, of 3963 Jonathan Creek Road, died Sunday, February 20, 2005 at his residence with his family by his side. A native of Haywood County, Mr. Leatherwood was a retired cattleman, businessman and longtime community leader in the Jonathan Creek area. Born May 15, 1922, Mr. Leatherwood was the oldest son of L. Medford and Elizabeth Campbell Leatherwood. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Leatherwood Sorrells. Mr. Leatherwood graduated from Waynesville Township High School and King's Business College in Raleigh, NC. Prior to joining the military, he worked as a supervisor in the shipbuilding industry in Wilmington, NC. He was a veteran of World War II where he served in the U.S. Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleet on the destroyer USS Atlanta in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning to Haywood County after World War II, Mr. Leatherwood joined his father in the cattle business. Later in his agribusiness career, he also owned and operated Mountain Tomato Packing Company. He also started and owned Mountain Tractor Company and Mountain Farm Supply Company. Mr. Leatherwood was active in community affairs serving as a member of the Haywood County Board of Education. He was an active member of the Shady Grove United Methodist Church where he served in numerous leadership roles. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maxine Snyder Leatherwood; a son, Jack Medford Leatherwood, Jr. and his wife, Cynthia of Waynesville; a daughter, Luanne Leatherwood Webb and her husband, Rick, of Cary, NC; a brother, Neal C. Leatherwood of Margate, FL; four grandsons, Jason Leatherwood, and his wife, Melissa and John Leatherwood, both of Waynesville; Richard M. Webb of Chapel Hill and W. Jackson Webb of Cary, NC. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at Shady Grove United Methodist Church with Reverend Timothy L. Whittington officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews, Michael and Mark Sorrells, Wallace Leatherwood, Michael, Mark, and Randy Harrell, and Scott Lindsey. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Medford and Sam Messer. Memorials may be made to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 or Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 3570 Jonathan Creek Road, Waynesville, NC 28785.

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