DENZIL L. LEGGETT (Updated)

Denzil L. Leggett, 93, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Thursday, April 22, 2021.

Denzil was born June 29, 1927, in Doddridge County, West Virginia to Ralph H. and Gussie Squires Leggett.

He graduated from Doddridge High School in 1945, and then enlisted into the Air Force.  Following state-side service and training, he flew to France for more training.  He then went to Austria and Berlin for two and a half years.  While in Berlin he served as Chief of the AACS Squadron at Templehoff Air Base, controlling air traffic in and out of the city for most of the airlift.  He was honorably discharged in 1949.  He served 10 years in the Air Force Reserve.

After his service, he entered Salem College in 1949, where he received a bachelor’s degree.  He then went to West Virginia University and obtained a master’s degree in education.  Following college, he accepted a science teaching position with Washington City Schools in August 1953.  During his teaching career he attended Colgate, Syracuse and Antioch Colleges to advance his graduate hours in the science field.  He retired from teaching in 1983.

From his first year of teaching, Denzil was employed by the Fayette County Engineer and Commissioners, both part-time and full-time.  He spent much time in the tax map office, drafting and helping with land surveys. He was the county zoning inspector during the construction of multiple projects. His association with the county lasted 59 years, including townships, city and villages.   He served on the city zoning board of appeals and was Housing Director for Tax Abatement areas for 25 years.  As a private contractor, Denzil was project manager, inspector for roads, bridges, wastewater plants, subdivisions and building both public and private.

Denzil served on the Fayette County Memorial Hospital board of trustees for 18 years; was a member of the Ohio State Board of Education Scholarship Testing Development and, for 20 years, served as Trustee for the Sara DeWitt Crippled Children Fund.

He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church for over 60 years, where he served as an usher and trustee; was a member of the Red Cross Chapter and was a blood donor of many gallons starting as a freshman in high school.    He was a 60-plus year member and past master of Fayette Lodge F & AM #107; was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons, Valley of Columbus; the Aladdin Temple Shrine; Disabled American Veterans Chapter #58 and a life member of the State Teachers Retirement System.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers and their wives, Randall and Betty Leggett and Duane and Bernadine Leggett; brothers-in-law, Sam Gaston and Harry “Rusty” Ash and son-in-law, John R. Phillips.

He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara Hudkins Leggett whom he married August 5, 1950.  Born to this marriage were three daughters, Sue L. Warner and Jill L. Phillips, both of Washington Court House and Jo L. Leggett of Hilliard, OH.  Also surviving are two grandsons and three great-grandchildren, Justin T. and Trisha Warner of Dublin, OH and their children Luke and  Emery, and Jeffrey L. and Elizabeth Warner of Pittsburgh, PA and their son, Graham; his sister, Carolyn S. Gaston and sister-in-law, Maurine Ash, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in the Washington Cemetery with Mel Wickensimer, director of visitation at the Grace United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, 301 East Market Street, Washington Court House, Ohio  43160.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com