Larry B Leed age 88, Summerfield, FL, passed away peacefully at the Brandley Hospice House on July 9, 2025 in Summerfield, FL.
Larry was born on Oct. 22, 1936 in Lancaster, PA to the late Sherman & Lillian (Levering) Leed. A 1955 graduate of Ephrata High School in Ephrata, PA, he soon joined the US Air Force and served 4 years as a Sentry Canine Handler in the Air Police Squadron at MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL.
In 1958 on June 22nd, he married Janis (Juillard) in Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, Tampa, FL Upon his Oct. 1959 military discharge, he began his career in retail with Montgomery Ward, St. Petersburg, FL and worked himself up from bicycle assembler to a store manager. During 20 years in which he was transferred multiple times, usually with each promotion. It included stores in Clearwater, FL, Cocoa, FL, Orlando, FL Tampa, FL Durham, NC, Rocky Mount, NC and Greenville, SC In 1980 he changed directions and began working as a traveling sales rep. covering the Eastern US from Orlando to Philadelphia, PA plus Tennessee for 2 companies.
He eventually went with Dorfman-Pacific out of Stockton, CA which he retired from at age 81 after 32 years. Over many years he was a member of the Moose (48) and Elks (24). He enjoyed golfing, watching TV sports and Western movies and helping at church. Larry was preceded in death by parents, 4 brothers: Phares, Melvin, Sherman and Arthur; 3 sisters, Dorothy Leed, Esther Kiehl and Edna Trostle.
He is survived by his wife Janis of the home and daughters Vonda Leed of Leesburg, FL, Connie Leed of Ocala, FL, and Bonnie Leed Smith (David) of Walkertown, NC, step-grandson Eric Smith of Walkertown, NC.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tues. July 29, 2025, at Tri County Baptist Church, 38405 Rolling Acres Rd., Lady Lake, FL, of which he was an active member for many years and served a few terms as a deacon. Pastor George Prinzing will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Sparta, NC in the cemetery alongside Larry’s former residence. Memorials for Larry Leed may be given to Tri County Baptist Church Building Fund 38405 Rolling Acres Rd., Lady Lake, FL 32159, The National Parkinson Foundation, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310 Miami, FL 33126 or Sparta First Baptist Church Building Fund, Box 668 Sparta, NC 28675.
The family wishes to thank Hospice of Marion County and the Brandley Hospice House staff for Larry’s excellent care.