F. Leonard Christy, 91, of Marietta, Ohio and Vero Beach, died March 11, 2010.
He was born Sept. 16, 1918, to Frank L. Christy, and Annie Powell Christy in Marietta. He was a graduate of Marietta High School, and attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
During college He was appointed as a Page in the Ohio House of Representatives, 92nd General Assembly. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force Transport Command in India during World War II, and was a lifelong member of American Legion Post 64.
He worked for Marietta Concrete Corporation in 1945, and later elected Director and President in 1955. In 1959 Marietta Concrete merged with American-Marietta, predecessor to Lockheed Martin Corporation. Leonard was President of Kris-Mar, Inc, a Marietta based development company from 1950-1990.
He was one of the original organizers of First Colony Corporation and served on the board of directors of The National Silo Association.
He was involved with many civic activities in the Marietta area and was a passionate supporter of The Ohio State University and the Buckeyes and a member of the OSU President’s Club.
He was a member of both St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marietta, and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.
In April, 1942, he married his childhood sweetheart Helen Gramlich. Together they had four children, three whom survive him: Frank L. (Mary Lou) Christy of Marietta and Vero Beach, Peggy C. (Bill) Rilling of Cincinnati, and Ted P. (Brenda) Christy of Cincinnati.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, and his son, James M. Christy of Marietta. His two brothers, R. Neil Christy and Robert Christy also preceded him in death.
He is survived by eleven grandchildren, Jonathan Christy (Jen), Kathleen Christy White (Dax), Michael, Richard, Patrick, and Andrew Christy, Christy and T.J. Rilling, and Katie, Annie, and Hannah Christy. He is survived by a sister, Dottie Corrigan of Las Cruces, N.M., a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Christy of Marietta, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donations in Leonard’s memory may be made to The Marietta Community Foundation, Box 77, Marietta, Ohio 45750; The Marietta Health Foundation, 401 Matthew St., Marietta, OH 45750; Marietta College, 215 Fifth St., Marietta, OH; or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 506 Fourth St., Marietta, OH 45750.
Cawley & Peoples offers online condolences by visiting their website, www.cawleyandpeoples.com