Harold Gordon Leggett, Jr.

Harold Gordon Leggett, Jr. died peacefully on March 30, 2026, in Lynchburg. VA. To all who knew him whether as husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, employer, Fellow alumnus, runner, or friend, he is remembered as having been a loving, fair, faithful, and generous soul, and will be dearly missed. Gordon was born on March 28, 1932, the eldest child of Harold Gordon Leggett and Ruth Ellis Leggett. As a youth, he climbed the mulberry trees in the front of his beloved home on Wakefield Road in Lynchburg, aptly named “Open Gate”. A dear friend fondly remembers their escapades in his pony drawn cart around the neighborhood, getting into all sorts of trouble.

Gordon attended Lynchburg public schools where he was known as “Butch”. He later attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. Athletics was an essential ingredient in Gordon’s life from an early age, having played JV and Varsity football and Varsity Track. Gordon also participated in Student Government, Missionary Society, EVS Choir and served on the yearbook, WHISPERS.

Gordon attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA, where he majored in Economics and played Freshman football and Freshman and Varsity Lacrosse. He was a member of Beta Theta Phi Fraternity and graduated in 1954. Gordon was an enthusiastic student, athlete, and loyal alumnus having proudly served on the Board of Directors of both EHS and W&L in later years. While attending W&L, Gordon courted Patricia Reid Webb, while she attended Randolph-Macon Women’s College. Gordon married Pat upon his graduation in July 1954. Immediately thereafter, Gordon joined the Navy Reserves in 1951, where he attended Minesweeping and Naval Officers School, and was commissioned as an Officer upon graduation from college in the summer of 1954. Gordon and Pat welcomed their son, Reid Gordon Leggett in 1956, while Gordon was stationed at Ft. Eustis in Newport News, Virginia

After being discharged from active duty, Gordon and Pat moved back to Lynchburg where Gordon entered the family business as a management trainee with Leggett Department Store, Inc. During these years, Gordon elevated to assistant store manager in Lynchburg, while welcoming his daughters, Susan Carter Leggett in 1958 and Jane Venable Leggett in 1961. The Leggett's enjoyed happy years in Lynchburg, while living with their ardently devoted Springer Spaniels, Piper and Sho-Sho, on Lexington Drive. In 1967, Gordon and Pat welcomed their fourth child, Carey Elizabeth Leggett, while the family resided in Newport News VA., where Gordon managed the newest and by far fanciest Leggett Store. Soon thereafter, Gordon returned his family back to Lynchburg for the last time, where they took up residence

He continued to work in increasingly responsible roles at Leggett, acting as Secretary-Treasurer, Manager of Personnel and Public Relations and finally beginning in 1977, as Executive Vice President of the Human Resources Division for Leggett Stores where he was venerated by management and employees alike. Gordon continued in this role in the Leggett store chain over the next 3 decades and became a member of the Leggett Stores and Belk Stores Services, Inc. Board of Directors. After Belk acquired Leggett in 1996, Gordon continued his endeavors and established Leggett Associates, L.L.C., a consulting business where he assisted small to medium sized organizations, especially those owned by family members.

One of the most significant and stunning aspects of Gordon’s life was his deep commitment to Christ. Originally born Presbyterian, Gordon embraced the Episcopal faith, after his marriage to Pat, through his membership in the Episcopal Church as demonstrated by his faithful attendance at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, only a mile or so from his house on Lee Circle. He faithfully attended St. John’s Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry. His children were baptized and confirmed there, participated in the Christmas Pageant, and dutifully filled their Miter boxes with their chore money to lay, with Mom’s freshly picked daffodils, before the cross at Easter. His belief in God was a bulwark of his life, in good times and in more difficult ones, and his example impressed virtues of charity and hope upon his children.

Soon thereafter, Pat and Gordon settled into life in their home on the James River called “River Gate” a stunning house which was designed by Maurice Jennings who had been influenced by the modernist master Frank Lloyd Wright. Pat’s design blueprint, herself a landscape architect, was found everywhere in the house and grounds. Gordon and Pat enjoyed “Rivergate” until Pat unexpectedly passed away in 2002.

In 2003, Gordon married Madeline E. Miller, who also graduated from Randolph-Macon. Gordon took up residence with Madeline in Philadelphia, where he regularly attended the historic Christ Church, participated in bible studies, and worked on various committees, and was a benefactor there as well. Gordon also became an avid Philadelphia Eagles Fan.

After 20 happy and adventurous years of marriage, Madeline passed away unexpectedly, in the summer of 2022. Gordon then returned to his hometown, and settled into Lynchburg’s Westminster Canterbury where the WM Pastor, William Deal, fondly and aptly named him “The Mayor”.

Throughout his life, Gordon was active in the Lynchburg community. He was the served on the boards of Crestar Bank, Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Central VA, and was a founding Director of the Centra Foundation. He also contributed his time and effort to Habitat for Humanity, and the Boonsboro Volunteer Rescue Squad. In addition, he was also a board member of the Miller Home Girls where every Christmas, Gordon and his children would dress up, and bring Pat’s delicious cookies and gifts to the girls at the home. It was a memorable experience for all. Very few people who knew Gordon can forget that each year at Christmas, he would order countless pints of Chesapeake Bay fresh shucked Oysters for his friends and colleagues. After painstakingly writing dozens of Christmas cards, he would hand deliver oysters and cards all over greater Lynchburg and Bedford County spreading good cheer during the holiday season

Gordon is survived by his children and grandchildren; Reid Gordon Leggett, his wife Anne and their three children, Carter Peyton Leggett, his wife Meghan and their three children, Sarah Leggett Litt, her husband Alexander, and their two children, and Andrew Reid Leggett, his wife Blake and their son; his daughter Susan Leggett Reitz, her husband David and their two children, Alexander and Patricia. His daughter Carey Leggett Wilks, her husband Reiss and their son Tyler; and his daughter Jane Venable Leggett. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Madeline Eliot Miller, her husband Nathaniel Drake, and their two daughters, Vera and Freya.

Gordon has left a legacy of which his family is very proud. We know his soul will rest peacefully in the presence of his Creator.

A celebration of life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10AM.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.