It is with heavy hearts and great sadness we announce the return of our beloved brother and father Leonard Lee Lantz of Lyndhurst, Virginia to his heavenly home, on February 13, 2025 at the age of seventy-four. Leonard was born June 19, 1950 and reared in the mountainous western Virginia community of Bergton, where he lived for the first twelve years of his life. He attended Bergton Elementary School and then later Broadway High School graduating in 1968. Upon graduation, Leonard was drafted into the United States Army and honorably spent a tour of duty in Vietnam.  He was always proud and honored to be called a veteran and after his discharge, Leonard actively participated in many events and activities related to and in support of veteran's affairs.

Leonard was predeceased by his parents, Thelma Dove Lantz and Hays Blaine Lantz, Sr. and his former wife, Dorothy Pangle Lantz. Leonard is survived by his siblings Hays Blaine Lantz, Jr., Gary Wayne Lantz, and Brenda Joyce Lantz Garrison; two sons, Shannon Lantz and Marquis Lantz; nine grandchildren and five great granddaughters.

Leonard was known for his kindness, unique sense of Lantz-humor, generosity toward others, and for his tenacity in defense of our country. In spite of his military-related health issues, he never lost his enthusiasm for life and doing good for others. During his youth and better health days, Leonard greatly enjoyed rock and mineral collecting, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, traveling, and baseball.

Dear Leonard, We loved watching you live your life through the good and bad times, and you gave us hope, no matter what, that we can always find a way to persevere as you did. Thank you for the memories and for being a part of our Earthly family and lives.  As we say a temporary goodbye for now, Heaven is richer, but Earth certainly is poorer.

A celebration of life for Leonard will be conducted at the Damascus Church of the Brethren in Criders, Virginia on Saturday, February 22 at 11:00 am; the church where his grandfather Lantz had been a minister. At a later date, Leonard's remains will be interred at the Caplinger Cemetery next to his parents, as he had requested.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Cover, Inc., PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218 or vetcover.org, a veteran's organization.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grandle Funeral Home, Broadway, VA.