Alfred Gertha Leonard Sr.

Alfred Gertha Leonard, Sr. was born November 5th, 1943, in Raleigh, NC, to Alfred Leonard and Almeta Leonard.  He departed this life on March 6, 2023. "Big Butch," as he was affectionately called, received his education from Wake County Public Schools. He graduated from Ligon High School in 1962.

Alfred enlisted in the Navy/Marines in July of 1964, where he served proudly in the Vietnam War in the medical field until April 1968. In 1967, he made a sound decision to stay enlisted to bring his baby brother James Leonard home from the Vietnam War 1967 due to chest wounds from mortar fire while in a defensive position.
 

Alfred was a proud Vietnam Veteran who received numerous accolades from his commanding officers around
the world. Side note: He was a uniform man, he absolutely loved his dress blues. Alfred was a hard worker who was a firefighter and medic at Dorothea Dix in Raleigh, NC. In the mid 70's Alfred moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he became the first African American to drive the Jackie Gleason Bus. He retired from the New York Transit Bus System.

Alfred also met his late wife Roberta Leonard of 35 years whom he loved and cherished. Alfred loved sports. He was a quarterback for the Navy, and he also played defensive back and running back in high school. On any given day, you could catch him talking about all the games on television, calling the plays, and yelling at the TV! Alfred loved life and his family. He was big on writing letters and just letting you know how much he loved and appreciated you.

Alfred was preceding him in death by his wife Roberta Leonard; mother Almeta Leonard; father Alfred Leonard;
brother James Leonard; and nephew Ronald Morgan. Alfred leaves to cherish his memory son Alfred Leonard
Jr. of Bethlehem, PA; daughter Recoa Hood (Rudy) of Zebulon, NC; sister Patty Morgan (Joseph); three grandchildren Ashia Leonard, Jasmine McCarver, and Amirah Leonard; one great-grandson Aladine Hicks.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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