Earnest Leonard, KU4MF, SK

Earnest Lee Leonard, master chief petty officer, U.S. Navy (retired), passed from this life on Oct. 12, 2006, after an 11-year battle with cancer.
Dedicated to God, family and country, Mr. Leonard was raised in Southwest Virginia, primarily in Benhams. A true patriot, he spent more than 20 years in faithful and decorated service in the U.S. Navy and was one of the youngest men ever to attain the highest enlisted rank of master chief petty officer. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. While on active duty, he received several commendations and medals, including the Navy Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, two Vietnam Campaign Distinguished Service Medals, the Gallantry Cross and personal recognition from the government of South Korea. During the Vietnam conflict, he participated in the Market Time, Sea Float and Sea Lords inshore combat missions. After retiring from the U.S. Navy and the Fleet Reserve, he served with the Military Sealift Command for more than 10 years, including time in the first Gulf conflict. He was an accomplished member of the amateur radio community under the call sign, KU4MF, and actively participated in many VA nets. His most proud accomplishment was to see his legacy continue through his daughters and to witness his grandchildren grow up and become gifted and responsible teenagers.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Leta Keith Leonard; daughters, Lisa Leonard of Bristol Tennessee, Rebecca (Becky) Miller and husband M. Deck Miller III of Bristol Virginia and Stephanie (Suzie) Blackwood and husband William Blackwood of Rock Hill, S.C.; grandchildren, Rachel Miller and Reece Miller; step-granddaughter, Kirsten Blackwood; a very special cousin, who was more like a brother, Walter Allen McCracken of Bristol Virginia; dedicated lifelong friends, Howard and Jane Hutton of Bristol Virginia; special nephews, Dane Lawson and his wife Erica; mother, Grace Leonard; sister, Joan Lawson; nephew, O. Lee Lawson and his wife Renea'; three aunts, Agnes Sproles Hughes, Lois Tate and Geraldine Leonard Fauver; several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and many cousins.
Mr. Leonard was known for being a man of honor and integrity, for his generosity and was a friend to all who met him. Committed to Christian beliefs, funeral services to celebrate his life will be conducted simply and humbly with a graveside committal and military honors by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday at Weaver Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Gum Hill Cemetery, with the Rev. Ken Osborne officiating.
Pallbearers will be Roger Farmer, Jeff Hartsock, Howard Hutton, Jim Hutton, Michael Horton and Kevin Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers-in-law, Allen McCracken and Ron Swafford, his amateur radio associates and the surviving members of the crews with which he served, USN, and MSC.
The family would like to express its thanks for the support, compassion and care provided by the staff with Wellmont Hospice and Dr. Ben Cowan, Dr. Sue Prill, Kathy Sharp, MSN and their staff.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net.
Weaver Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.