Robert Leach,

Sr.

Robert Lee Leach Sr., 82, of Thomasville GA, passed away peacefully, at his home, May 3, 2021. He was born September 7, 1938, in Jellico, TN to Jeremiah & Oma Lee Leach, who preceded him in death, along with his wife Anna Lee Leach; brother Billy Carl Leach; & brother Jerry Ray Leach. He is survived by: daughter Lovenna Sprude (Tom); daughter Robin Leach Crepps (Rob); son Robert Leach Jr. (Kathy Wilson); daughter Susan Holland (Sidney Curby); & daughter Kris Kuti (Matt); sister Wilma Hampton; Grandchildren: CJ Leach (Amanda), Randy Sprude (Stephanie), Jessica Mann (Mike), Lacey Crawford (Jason), Skylar Leach, Joseph Holland (Jenna), Hannah Ponder, Chelsea Curby, Kayla Golden (Nick), Tabitha Jordan (Jeff), & Robert Kuti (Amber); & fourteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family members along with a large number of "adopted" kids & grand kids (you know who you are).

On the music scale of life, he played every note fully and sometimes off key, but that never stopped him from giving his all in everything he did. When asked what his favorite thing to do as a kid, he replied, "playing cowboys with my popguns, I guess". And when asked about what he dreamed of being when he grew up he said, "I always wanted to be a country western singer, that's all I ever wanted to do." Well, he might not have became world famous for it, but he accomplished it on a somewhat smaller scale. With a wife, who supported his dreams and life-goals, he accomplished a great deal. At age 19 he entered the United States Air Force and married Anna Lee King. While in the USAF, along with his duet partner Anna Lee, he became known as The Singing Cowboy he always wanted to be, forming bands and playing gigs everywhere he was stationed. Robert, known to his family and friends as Bob, served from 1957-1961, took a little break and re-entered the USAF in 1963 to serve until his retirement in April 1985, at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. In July 1985 he went to work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Thomasville, Georgia until his retirement in December 2000, then continued to assist on disasters until 2014. He was dedicated to serving his country and mentoring the youth that followed in his footsteps. He earned his Associates Degree in Applied Science in Aerospace Control Systems from The Community College of the Air Force in 1984; his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education from Southern Illinois University in 1985; and his Masters in Public Administration in 1989 from Valdosta State University. Robert was a member of the Hasan Temple of Albany GA & a member of the Grand Lodge of GA. He was also a long-time supporter of St. Jude's Children's Hospital & The Wounded Warrior Project. He was a cowboy hat, boot & wrangler wearing, Tennessee Volunteers Fan, and displayed his orange and white T proudly. He was raised in The Church of God and without doubt accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Saviour. May you rest high on that mountain, pickin' and a grinnin', with "Sweethang" singing harmony by your side.

Funeral Services will be held at Whiddon Shiver Funeral Home on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Leon Jones officiating. Visitation will be held the night before on Thursday, May 6th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the funeral home Chapel. He will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be; Grandsons, CJ Leach, Randy Sprude, Joseph Holland, Ethan Wilson, Grandson-in-law, Mike Mann, and Godson, Jason Crawford

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to: St Jude's Children's Hospital, The Wounded Warrior Project or Dog T.A.G.S. Program.