Leonard Herbert Metzger Jr.

Leonard Herbert Metzger, Jr. died Tuesday after a brief illness, surrounded by family. He was born October 21, 1929, in Mobile, AL. He was the son of Leonard Herbert Metzger, Sr. and Elsa Fleishaker Metzger. He was graduated from UMS and was its’ Julius Tutwiler Wright Award recipient for 1948. He served on the Board of Directors of UMS-Wright for 25 years. He attended the University of Alabama, after which he entered the family business, Metzger’s, for over three decades. In the early 1980’s, he left Metzger’s to chase other rainbows. He started a number of business ventures into his late 70’s. Along the way, he befriended a menagerie of colorful and interesting characters. He treated everyone, regardless of social standing, with grace and dignity. For much of his life he was an avid outdoorsman, favoring fishing and bird hunting. In addition, he loved a practical joke-some of which, to this day, make his loved ones cringe. He was predeceased by his first wife, Gwen, and a grandson, Edward (Scooter) Donaldson. Left to recount his legacy of many colorful stories are his wife of 36 years Mildred (Millie) Fields; his children, Leonard H. Metzger, III (Belinda), Nancy Metzger Schafle, Peggy Metzger Mills (Council), Debbie Metzger Stephens (Thornton), and Marty Fields Burkett(Mike); sister, Clare Metzger Aycock (Tom); and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held in Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery on Friday, February 11, 2011, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Springhill Avenue Temple (1769 Springhill Avenue, 36607) or the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter (855 Owens St., Mobile, AL 36604). Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com. Arrangements by Radney Funeral Home, 3155 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama 36606.