Leon I. Alder

Leon I. Alder, age 76, of Abingdon, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Johnson City Medical Center. 

Raised in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Leon joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduating from Berea College in 1967, with a degree in Business Administration. Leon served overseas with assignment to the Eighth Army, Korea from 1967-1969. After an honorable discharge from active duty, Leon served in the Army Reserves until 2004, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.  

Leon loved his family and took great pride in his beloved children. As an only child, Leon valued his relationships with his lifelong friends from Williansburg and Berea College in Kentucky.

Leon is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Kate Jacob; children, Emily Miller (Dave) of Clemmons, NC, Valerie Cox (Andy) of Abingdon, VA, Bethany Bullock (Brant) of Piney Flats, TN, Rebecca Palumbo (Patrick) of Kill Devil Hills, NC, Jillian Smith (Andrew) of Bristol, VA, Christopher Alder of Abingdon, VA, and Gregory Alder (Tori) of Saltville, VA, and eleven grandchildren, Lauren Lenham, Samuel Miller, Emma Cox, Neal Cox, Trent Cox, Jonah Fullen, Faith Fullen, Anthony Palumbo, Katherine Palumbo, Henry Smith and Clara Smith.

Leon was preceded in death by his father, Isom Alder, mother, Myrtle Sullivan Harrell, and step-father, Hubert Harrell. 

Leon was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church with the Rev. Francis X. Musolooza, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN. 

Memorials, if desired, may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church Community Outreach at P.O. Box 1201, Abingdon, VA 24212, or Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Parish Project LAMB at 301 West Kitty Hawk Road, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.