John Daniel McLeod Jr.

John Daniel McLeod, Jr., aged 91, went to be with the Lord peacefully at his home on August 9th, 2024. He has been a proud resident of Leesburg, Florida, since 1960. John was born to Dr. John and Dorothy McLeod on March 1st, 1933, in Mansfield, Ohio. John graduated from Fishburne Military School of Waynesboro, Virginia, attended the University of Richmond, and graduated from Valdosta State College in the top five percent of his graduating class with a BS in Economics/Business. He was in the ROTC and a Kappa Alpha Order member, earning the distinction of Scabbard and Blade in the Military Honor Society. John was also a Mason, Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shriner. John, a devoted family man, married Sherry Joy Spooner in 1956 in Moultrie, Georgia. Their sixty-eighth wedding anniversary was a testament to their enduring love. John, a veteran, served in the Army from 1956 to 1958. His commitment to his family was unwavering as they raised their two beautiful daughters, Kelly (Jack) Neale and Stacy (Bruce) Rider, both of Gainesville, Florida. Their family grew with the blessings of seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. John's love for his family was as strong as his dedication to his business, which was admired by many. John and Sherry founded Royal Fence and Patio in 1960, which later became Royal Aluminum, with manufacturing & distribution centers in Leesburg, Florida, and Colombia, South Carolina. Their retirement in 1998 marked the end of a successful business journey. However, John's commitment to his community continued. He shared his professional wisdom as a past director of United Southern Bank, Director of Lake County Industrial Development Authority, and board member of numerous bank branches in Leesburg. His service extended to the Board of Directors of Cornerstone Hospice, the Leesburg Regional Medical Center, as a trustee of Fishburne Military School (Waynesboro, Virginia) and Oak Hall School (Gainesville, Florida). He was also a former president of the Beaver Run Association (Breckenridge, Colorado) and was responsible for the development of the last phase of the Imperial Terrace community. Most importantly, John's faith was a guiding force in his life. He served as a trustee, deacon, and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Leesburg, ministering to others through acts of kindness and sharing the gospel since he accepted Christ as his Lord in 1978. John was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John McLeod and Dorothy Heffrin; his brother, Neil; his half-sister, Dorothy Novotny; and his great-grandson, Arthur Neale Van Sciver. He is survived by his wife, Sherry; his daughters, Kelly (Jack) Neale and Stacy (Bruce) Rider; his grandchildren, Kittery (Arthur) Van Sciver, McLeod Neale, Ashley (Kevin) Tormes, Skyler (Keri) Neale, Andrea (Stafa) Abid, Breckley (Jon) Erny, and Allison Rider; his great-grandchildren Madelyn, Kendall, and Riley Tormes; Adele, Hope, Kate, and John (“Jack”) Van Sciver; Campbell, Palmer, Murphy, and Hampton Neale; and Piper, Skye, and Saylor Erny. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 16, 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Leesburg Chapel with reception to follow at the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, Lake County Animal Shelter, or Lovey Loaves Special Needs Animal Rescue of Orlando, Florida. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

John Daniel McLeod Jr.

March 1, 1933 - August 9, 2024