Father Eugene Leonard, a retired priest of the Diocese of Charleston, in South Carolina, died peacefully in his sleep on June 20, 2016. He was born February 19, 1926, in Oahu Hawaii. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Renee (Andre) and Eugene Leonard; sister, Helen Leonard; and brother-in-law, Edward J. Anderson.

He is survived by: his sister, Mary Helen (Leonard) Anderson; and his six nieces and nephews, Mary Ann Read (husband Victor), Patrick Anderson (wife Stacey), Michael Anderson, Eileen Fischer (husband Michael), Ellen "Katie" Miller (husband Tony), and Edward Anderson (wife Christy); as well as 12 great-nieces and nephews.

Father Gene was a product of Catholic grade school and became an altar server as soon as he was old enough. He attended Catholic University, St. Jerome's College, Notre Dame University, and Holy Cross College. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity.

Father Gene joined the Navy on February 1, 1944, where he served as a Medic. He was one of the first Americans to survey the damage at Hiroshima to assess the casualties.

Following his service in the Navy, Father Gene went to work as an Engineer at General Electric, but soon realized this was not to be his calling.

Fr. Gene was ordained in the Priesthood on June 4, 1966 in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. He served as Associate Pastor in Virginia at St. Marys (Hampton), St. Brigets (Richmond), St. Charles (Arlington), St. Michaels (Annandale), St. Bernadettes (Springfield), St.  Mary (Alexandria), Blessed Sacrament (Alexandria), Nativity (Burke), then as Pastor to St. Vincent de Sales in Kilmarnock, VA, and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Lake Ridge, VA. From there, he went on to Charleston, SC, to St. John the Baptist and then to Pastor Jesus, Our Risen Savior in Spartanburg, SC, until "Retirement" on December 31, 2001. In addition to these Pastoral assignments, he served on various Diocesan Boards and Committees and was a life-long activist of Prison Ministry.

Fr. Gene was known for his zeal in life and loved a good debate, especially over a fine glass of wine. He was a life-long sports enthusiast, participating as well as cheering on his favorite teams, especially Notre Dame, and was an avid outdoorsman, history and trivia buff, and dog lover. He will be deeply missed.

Fr. Gene requested any memorial gifts to be made to Doctors Without Borders, or a local Prison Ministry of your choice.

Funeral Mass will be held in Tulsa, OK, at the Church of Saint Mary, 10:00 AM, on Saturday, June 25. Memorial Masses will be held at the Church of the Risen Savior in Spartanburg, SC, at various times (please contact the Parish office for details).

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL  (918) 585-1151.