1941
Bobby
2019
Bobby Dean Leigh
March 13, 1941 — November 24, 2019
Bobby Dean Leigh, Sr
1941-2019
Bessemer City – Bobby Dean Leigh, Sr., 78 went home to be with his Lord on November 24, 2019 at Atrium Health Care-Pineville.
He was born in Gaston County on March 13, 1941 to the late Theodore Joseph Leigh and Willard Juanita Bridges Leigh. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his siblings, Wilbur and Rachel Leigh; brothers-in-law, Gary Parker and Dale Cable.
Bobby joined the US Army at the age of 17 and rose through the ranks, he attended Officer Candidate School in 1964 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 1964. During his years of service, he served 2 years in the Vietnam War, 1 year in Korea and 2 years in Alaska. He served in the Special Forces and Airborne Infantry Units. Bobby served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 18th Airborne Corps for 3 years. He completed a B.S. College degree in the Army Bootstrap Program, with a degree in Business Management. He retired with the rank of Major from active duty in 1979 after 21 years of service with the following accomplishments; 2 Bronze stars; Vietnam Combat Service Ribbon with 5 Campaign stars; Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Commendation Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Meritorious Service Medal; Expert marksman Badge; Senior Parachutist Medal; Special Forces Officer Designation; Good Conduct Medal; Paratrooper Jump Master Qualification; F-4 Fighter Weapons Systems Officer Designation as Special duty with 56th Tactical Fighter Wing. After retiring from the military he then started his own business South Tech Plastics in New Bern, NC where he worked until 2005 when he retired and sold the company.
He is survived by his wife, Yesenia Perez Leigh; his children, Bobby Dean Leigh, Jr., Darryl Wayne Leigh, Beverly Ann Leigh and husband James Tucker; grandchildren, Brittany, Josh, Chris and Lauren; brothers, Jerry and wife Evelyn Leigh, Glenn and wife Pat Leigh; sisters, Shirley Parker and Betty Cable.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2019 at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home with a service to follow at 4:00 p.m.
in the Chapel with Military Honors by the Gaston County Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gaston County Honor Guard c/o 2340 Gaines Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.
1941-2019
Bessemer City – Bobby Dean Leigh, Sr., 78 went home to be with his Lord on November 24, 2019 at Atrium Health Care-Pineville.
He was born in Gaston County on March 13, 1941 to the late Theodore Joseph Leigh and Willard Juanita Bridges Leigh. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his siblings, Wilbur and Rachel Leigh; brothers-in-law, Gary Parker and Dale Cable.
Bobby joined the US Army at the age of 17 and rose through the ranks, he attended Officer Candidate School in 1964 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in 1964. During his years of service, he served 2 years in the Vietnam War, 1 year in Korea and 2 years in Alaska. He served in the Special Forces and Airborne Infantry Units. Bobby served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 18th Airborne Corps for 3 years. He completed a B.S. College degree in the Army Bootstrap Program, with a degree in Business Management. He retired with the rank of Major from active duty in 1979 after 21 years of service with the following accomplishments; 2 Bronze stars; Vietnam Combat Service Ribbon with 5 Campaign stars; Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Commendation Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Meritorious Service Medal; Expert marksman Badge; Senior Parachutist Medal; Special Forces Officer Designation; Good Conduct Medal; Paratrooper Jump Master Qualification; F-4 Fighter Weapons Systems Officer Designation as Special duty with 56th Tactical Fighter Wing. After retiring from the military he then started his own business South Tech Plastics in New Bern, NC where he worked until 2005 when he retired and sold the company.
He is survived by his wife, Yesenia Perez Leigh; his children, Bobby Dean Leigh, Jr., Darryl Wayne Leigh, Beverly Ann Leigh and husband James Tucker; grandchildren, Brittany, Josh, Chris and Lauren; brothers, Jerry and wife Evelyn Leigh, Glenn and wife Pat Leigh; sisters, Shirley Parker and Betty Cable.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2019 at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home with a service to follow at 4:00 p.m.
in the Chapel with Military Honors by the Gaston County Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gaston County Honor Guard c/o 2340 Gaines Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bobby Dean Leigh, please visit our flower store.
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