Leon Luther

Col. Ret. Leon C. Luther of Chester, VA died January 18, 2004 at Johnston Willis Hospital. He was born and raised on a farm near Andrews, North Carolina and was graduated from the Andrews Public School System. He continued to manage the family farm during his lifetime. After graduation from Blanton’s Business College in 1937 he was employed by the Underwood Elliott Fisher Co., in Asheville, NC until he entered the Army in 1941. Before his retirement from the Army in 1970, his assignments had included tours of duty in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. At the end of World War II he was with the Air Corps in the Southwest Pacific. He served in Korea during 1951-1952 as an Advisor to a Korean Combat Infantry Division. He was a Military Attache’ in Iran during 1965-68. He served in the Munitions Command during the Vietnam War 1968-70. After retirement from active duty he accepted a position at what is now the Army Logistics Management College, to complete 38 years total government service. He was a graduate of the Army Advanced Signal School, the Command and General Staff School, the Defense Intelligence School, the Defense Language Institute and numerous other service schools. Colonel Luther was a member of the United Methodist Church, Andrews, N.C. He was initiated into the John A. Nichols Lodge No. 650, A.F. & A.M., Asheville, NC in 1948, was raised to the 32 of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1949 and remained a member of the Asheville Consistory until his death. He was predeceased by his brother Harry R. Luther and a sister Blondine (Luther) Snyder. He is survived by his wife, Grace E (Warren) Luther to whom he has been married since 1945, nephews, Harry R. Luther of Clemmens, NC., Stephen N. Luther of Candler, NC and niece, Susan Luther Hernandez of Pasadena, CA. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Wednesday, January 21, 2004 in the Chesterfield Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home with family receiving friends after service. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Leon C. and Grace E. Luther Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 1888, Asheville, NC. 28802. For scholarship and finance assistance for children of Valleytown Township, N.C.