Leonard Joseph McWhorter

Leonard Joseph McWhorter, 85, passed away in his sleep March 24, 2005, at the Gainesville, FL VA Hospital. He was born December 26, 1919, in Dallas, GA, to the late Robert and Lottie New McWhorter. At eleven years of age he moved to Eau Gallie, FL, where he became a service station operator. He joined the US Marine Corps and served in the Panama Canal Zone during WW II. Upon his return to Florida he operated his own service station and fuel oil business until 1959 when he moved to Asheville with his beloved wife Ida Marie, who preceded him in death in 1994. He retired from the service station business in 1978 and went to work for Bentley Security until 2003, when he retired and moved to Lake City, FL. He became an avid gardener, Yahtzee champ and best friend to all he met. He leaves to mourn his passing four nieces, Verna (Sax) Saxon, Valerie (Kelly) Myers, Cindy (Skip) Britton, and Mary Lou (Jesse) Reeser; two great-nephews, four great-nieces, two great-great-nephews, one great-great-niece, and his best friend and companion, Benny Coates. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of the arrangements.