Leon is a US Navy Veteran. He served in Vietnam as a Gunner’s Mate and is a Purple Heart recipient. He retired from the Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, NH where he worked sandblasting and painting submarines.
He enjoyed fishing,spending time with his family and friends, watching all New England sports, except the Red Sox, he was a New York Yankees fan.
Leon loved his church family and the Joy Group at Trinity Assembly of God.
His family would like to thank Center Well Home Health Care, Gaston Hospice and Home Instead, for providing wonderful care and support to the family during this difficult time.
Leon will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Leon is survived by his wife Rose Brown, sons, Nick Ratte (Kaye), Peter Ducharme (Addie Bolick), and Marcel Ducharme (Kim Lam); granddaughters, Abby Ratte and Avery Ducharme and great granddaughter Lilith Ratte. Leon is also survived by sisters, Anita Reis-Miller of PA, Brenda Bennett (Roy Brown), Alberta Keddy (Mike) and brother Bobby Barnes (Heidi Currier) all of NH, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father, Albert Clifton Brown and mother, Retenah Mae Adams Brown; brother, Paul Brown; sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Johnny Richards, and grandson Nicholas Ratte Jr.
A visitation for Leon will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Trinity Assembly of God, 307 White Jenkins Road, Bessemer City, North Carolina 28016, followed by a celebration of life service at 1:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com for the Brown "Gunner" family.
