Ryan A.D. Leonard, 29, of Derby, died suddenly on September 18, 2012, in Burlington. He was born July 8, 1983, in St. Johnsbury, a beloved son of Bruce and Lynda (Frost) Leonard.
He graduated from North Country Union High School in the class of 2003. He entered the U.S. Army where he was deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011 he married Melissa Whittemore, who survives him.
As a young man, Mr. Leonard learned the rewards of giving of himself. He volunteered for several years to the American Legion Christmas for the Lonely Program by helping in the kitchen. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, Newport Ambulance Explorer Post, the American Red Cross Disaster Team, and the Newport Church of the Nazarene youth group. Mr. Leonard enjoyed fund-raising for these groups. It was this drive and energy that empowered him to pursue his ultimate goal of deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his free time, Mr. Leonard enjoyed spending time with his family and his children. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved hunting and hoped, one day, to shoot a ten-point buck. He had fun fishing with his kids. He loved his kids and he loved his truck.
Mr. Leonard loved all of his brothers-in-arms, whether they were ones he served with or ones he met in passing.
He loved helping his friends even if they didn't ask for help. He enjoyed being himself around his friends.
Mr. Leonard learned his passion for cooking from one of his best friends. He was always willing to offer his opinion, was strong willed, and willing to fight for what he wanted.
He enjoyed bonfires and having small get-togethers with his friends and family. He often watched the stars at night wondering what was out there.
He was greatly loved by almost everyone who knew him. Mr. Leonard hated showing his sensitive side and he was always putting on the "I'm tough" attitude, but everyone who knew him, knew who he really was.
He wouldn't want a teardrop shed, but instead would want the good times people had with him remembered, whether it be from childhood mischief to his adult life.
We all will remember and love him.
Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife, Melissa Leonard, of Derby; by his children: Ryan J. Leonard, Natasha Leonard, Katie Whittemore-Leonard, Jonathan Whittemore, and Jacob Whittemore; by his parents, Bruce and Lynda Leonard of St. Johnsbury; by his ex-wife, Jennifer Birch-Leonard, and her son, Devon Birch, both of Newport; by his sisters: Amy Frost of North Troy, Melissa Ann Leonard and Samantha Leonard all of St. Johnsbury; by his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents from both sides of the family; by his brother and sister-in-laws; and by his best friend, Josh LaClair, and his mother, Edna LaClair-Petit.
He was predeceased, in 1986, by his brother, Hunter.
Funeral services for Mr. Leonard were held on September 24 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend James Gamble officiating. Mr. Leonard was interred at the Derby Center Cemetery with full military honors.
Should friends wish, contributions in his memory may be made to Family Readiness Group, in care of SFC Urie, 540 Union Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
He graduated from North Country Union High School in the class of 2003. He entered the U.S. Army where he was deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011 he married Melissa Whittemore, who survives him.
As a young man, Mr. Leonard learned the rewards of giving of himself. He volunteered for several years to the American Legion Christmas for the Lonely Program by helping in the kitchen. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, Newport Ambulance Explorer Post, the American Red Cross Disaster Team, and the Newport Church of the Nazarene youth group. Mr. Leonard enjoyed fund-raising for these groups. It was this drive and energy that empowered him to pursue his ultimate goal of deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his free time, Mr. Leonard enjoyed spending time with his family and his children. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved hunting and hoped, one day, to shoot a ten-point buck. He had fun fishing with his kids. He loved his kids and he loved his truck.
Mr. Leonard loved all of his brothers-in-arms, whether they were ones he served with or ones he met in passing.
He loved helping his friends even if they didn't ask for help. He enjoyed being himself around his friends.
Mr. Leonard learned his passion for cooking from one of his best friends. He was always willing to offer his opinion, was strong willed, and willing to fight for what he wanted.
He enjoyed bonfires and having small get-togethers with his friends and family. He often watched the stars at night wondering what was out there.
He was greatly loved by almost everyone who knew him. Mr. Leonard hated showing his sensitive side and he was always putting on the "I'm tough" attitude, but everyone who knew him, knew who he really was.
He wouldn't want a teardrop shed, but instead would want the good times people had with him remembered, whether it be from childhood mischief to his adult life.
We all will remember and love him.
Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife, Melissa Leonard, of Derby; by his children: Ryan J. Leonard, Natasha Leonard, Katie Whittemore-Leonard, Jonathan Whittemore, and Jacob Whittemore; by his parents, Bruce and Lynda Leonard of St. Johnsbury; by his ex-wife, Jennifer Birch-Leonard, and her son, Devon Birch, both of Newport; by his sisters: Amy Frost of North Troy, Melissa Ann Leonard and Samantha Leonard all of St. Johnsbury; by his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents from both sides of the family; by his brother and sister-in-laws; and by his best friend, Josh LaClair, and his mother, Edna LaClair-Petit.
He was predeceased, in 1986, by his brother, Hunter.
Funeral services for Mr. Leonard were held on September 24 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend James Gamble officiating. Mr. Leonard was interred at the Derby Center Cemetery with full military honors.
Should friends wish, contributions in his memory may be made to Family Readiness Group, in care of SFC Urie, 540 Union Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
Ryan A.D. Leonard, 29, of Derby, died suddenly on September 18, 2012, in Burlington. He was born July 8, 1983, in St. Johnsbury, a beloved son of Bruce and Lynda (Frost) Leonard.
He graduated from North Country Union High School in the class of 2003. He entered the U.S. Army where he was deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011 he married Melissa Whittemore, who survives him.
As a young man, Mr. Leonard learned the rewards of giving of himself. He volunteered for several years to the American Legion Christmas for the Lonely Program by helping in the kitchen. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, Newport Ambulance Explorer Post, the American Red Cross Disaster Team, and the Newport Church of the Nazarene youth group. Mr. Leonard enjoyed fund-raising for these groups. It was this drive and energy that empowered him to pursue his ultimate goal of deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his free time, Mr. Leonard enjoyed spending time with his family and his children. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved hunting and hoped, one day, to shoot a ten-point buck. He had fun fishing with his kids. He loved his kids and he loved his truck.
Mr. Leonard loved all of his brothers-in-arms, whether they were ones he served with or ones he met in passing.
He loved helping his friends even if they didn't ask for help. He enjoyed being himself around his friends.
Mr. Leonard learned his passion for cooking from one of his best friends. He was always willing to offer his opinion, was strong willed, and willing to fight for what he wanted.
He enjoyed bonfires and having small get-togethers with his friends and family. He often watched the stars at night wondering what was out there.
He was greatly loved by almost everyone who knew him. Mr. Leonard hated showing his sensitive side and he was always putting on the "I'm tough" attitude, but everyone who knew him, knew who he really was.
He wouldn't want a teardrop shed, but instead would want the good times people had with him remembered, whether it be from childhood mischief to his adult life.
We all will remember and love him.
Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife, Melissa Leonard, of Derby; by his children: Ryan J. Leonard, Natasha Leonard, Katie Whittemore-Leonard, Jonathan Whittemore, and Jacob Whittemore; by his parents, Bruce and Lynda Leonard of St. Johnsbury; by his ex-wife, Jennifer Birch-Leonard, and her son, Devon Birch, both of Newport; by his sisters: Amy Frost of North Troy, Melissa Ann Leonard and Samantha Leonard all of St. Johnsbury; by his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents from both sides of the family; by his brother and sister-in-laws; and by his best friend, Josh LaClair, and his mother, Edna LaClair-Petit.
He was predeceased, in 1986, by his brother, Hunter.
Funeral services for Mr. Leonard were held on September 24 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend James Gamble officiating. Mr. Leonard was interred at the Derby Center Cemetery with full military honors.
Should friends wish, contributions in his memory may be made to Family Readiness Group, in care of SFC Urie, 540 Union Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
He graduated from North Country Union High School in the class of 2003. He entered the U.S. Army where he was deployed twice to Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011 he married Melissa Whittemore, who survives him.
As a young man, Mr. Leonard learned the rewards of giving of himself. He volunteered for several years to the American Legion Christmas for the Lonely Program by helping in the kitchen. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, Newport Ambulance Explorer Post, the American Red Cross Disaster Team, and the Newport Church of the Nazarene youth group. Mr. Leonard enjoyed fund-raising for these groups. It was this drive and energy that empowered him to pursue his ultimate goal of deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In his free time, Mr. Leonard enjoyed spending time with his family and his children. He enjoyed the outdoors, loved hunting and hoped, one day, to shoot a ten-point buck. He had fun fishing with his kids. He loved his kids and he loved his truck.
Mr. Leonard loved all of his brothers-in-arms, whether they were ones he served with or ones he met in passing.
He loved helping his friends even if they didn't ask for help. He enjoyed being himself around his friends.
Mr. Leonard learned his passion for cooking from one of his best friends. He was always willing to offer his opinion, was strong willed, and willing to fight for what he wanted.
He enjoyed bonfires and having small get-togethers with his friends and family. He often watched the stars at night wondering what was out there.
He was greatly loved by almost everyone who knew him. Mr. Leonard hated showing his sensitive side and he was always putting on the "I'm tough" attitude, but everyone who knew him, knew who he really was.
He wouldn't want a teardrop shed, but instead would want the good times people had with him remembered, whether it be from childhood mischief to his adult life.
We all will remember and love him.
Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife, Melissa Leonard, of Derby; by his children: Ryan J. Leonard, Natasha Leonard, Katie Whittemore-Leonard, Jonathan Whittemore, and Jacob Whittemore; by his parents, Bruce and Lynda Leonard of St. Johnsbury; by his ex-wife, Jennifer Birch-Leonard, and her son, Devon Birch, both of Newport; by his sisters: Amy Frost of North Troy, Melissa Ann Leonard and Samantha Leonard all of St. Johnsbury; by his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents from both sides of the family; by his brother and sister-in-laws; and by his best friend, Josh LaClair, and his mother, Edna LaClair-Petit.
He was predeceased, in 1986, by his brother, Hunter.
Funeral services for Mr. Leonard were held on September 24 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend James Gamble officiating. Mr. Leonard was interred at the Derby Center Cemetery with full military honors.
Should friends wish, contributions in his memory may be made to Family Readiness Group, in care of SFC Urie, 540 Union Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.
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