7/30/33 – 12/25/18
Ronald (Ron, Ronnie, Dad, PaPa) Lee Leitner, 85, joined his heavenly father on Christmas Day. He was at home with his beloved wife, Emarita, and his son, Steve and wife, Sonya; Dad would not have wanted it any other way.
Ron (Dad) was born July 30, 1933, in Louisville, Kentucky, the fifth of seven in line and was sometimes referred to as “Peanuts”. He graduated from Male High School and served two years in the Army at Fort Knox, KY. We can count on one hand the number of Kentucky games he missed on television and he especially smiled last week when Kentucky beat Carolina; bet he and his grandson, Chris, are comparing notes right now in heaven; Chris fussing - Dad smiling.
He married the love of his life, “Whitey” (Emarita), in July of 1955. He and his family transferred to Greensboro in 1957 with P. Lorillard Company. Dad worked hard for almost 40 years, retiring in December, 1990.
His family was very blessed to enjoy “family trips” – for their 50th wedding anniversary to Punta Cana and to Amelia Island, Florida for their 60th wedding anniversary. Dad talked about going together again at their 65th anniversary, if he made it that long he said.
Dad and Mom were blessed with 7 children, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren (#10 and #11 due in 2019). He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret Leitner; three brothers, Charles, Ralph and Bobby; a sister, Thelma and his grandson, Chris Westmoreland in 2013.
Survivors include: Emarita Hartlage Leitner - Cindy (David) Westmoreland of Greensboro, NC; Brian (Kristie) Payton & Brett Westmoreland, Plano, TX; Kara (Neil) & Parker Ostlund of Galesville, WI; Jeremy (Ashley) Emma & little Chris Westmoreland of Burlington, NC – Steve (Sonya) Leitner of High Point, NC – Mark (Alison) Leitner of High Point, NC; Erica (Lee) & Michael Leitner of Irving, TX – Tim (Tona) Leitner of Rural Hall, NC – Sharon (Robert) Bolyard of Murfreesboro, TN; Eric (Elizabeth) Bolyard of Charlotte, NC; Andrea (Matt) Sophie & Ava MaGinn of Murfreesboro, TN; Morgan (Nick) Caroline & Hadley Weaver of Murfreesboro, TN – Keith Leitner of Knoxville, TN; Kelly Leitner of Atlanta, GA; Ben Leitner of Knoxville, TN – Patrick (Debi) Leitner of Greensboro, NC & Morgan Tarbutton of Boone, NC; One brother Harold (Barbara) Leitner and one sister Betty Sims.
Visitation will be Sunday night, 12/30 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC. The funeral will be on Monday, 12/31, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow in the Simmons Center (Parish Hall) on the church grounds immediately following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262 OR The Chris Westmoreland Cancer Fund, PO Box 4483, Greensboro, NC 27404.
Our dad was loved by so many family, friends and neighbors; he will be missed by all!
Cindy, Steve, Mark, Tim, Sharon, Keith, Patrick
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com
