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FRANKLIN – Gary Stephen Leinart, 70, born Oct. 22, 1950 in Portsmouth, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 8 on his family farm in Bedford, Virginia. He was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Anna Leinart and his brother-in-law, Wade Hellman.

Gary graduated from Cox High School and attended Tidewater Community College.

He worked for E.T. Gresham Company for 45 years, retiring in 2013. He was a senior project superintendent and spent the last 10 years of his career building churches. He enjoyed his mission trips to Peru, Africa and Poland, but especially enjoyed serving God at Bland Ministry Center. He also enjoyed working beside his church family at Black Creek Baptist Church, fishing, camping, attending North Carolina State football games with son-in-law Matthew and spending time with his family in the Smoky or Blue Ridge Mountains.

Gary is survived by his wife of 48 years, Amy Hill Leinart; his daughters, Melissa Leinart and her fiancé Eddie Allison and Rebecca Johnson and her husband, Matthew; and his treasured grandchildren, Claudia Brinkley, Jake Brinkley and Caroline Johnson. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Harrison and her husband, Bill and Debra Hellman. He also leaves many nieces and nephews in whose hearts he will be celebrated.

Visitation will be at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin on Monday, Oct. 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The memorial service will be Tuesday, Oct. 12 at Wright Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Bland Ministry Center, Highway 52, Bland, Virginia 24315.

wrightfuneralhome.org