Capt. Charles H. Leckrone, USCG ret., 82, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, October 8, 2014.

A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, Charlie served as chairman and member of many committees and for 20+ years taught the Mary Martha Class at Centenary United Methodist Church in Portsmouth. He was an active Rotarian. Charlie served as a Red Cross volunteer driver for over 25 years, delivering blood twice a week until his illness made it impossible to do so. He was an avid member of the Virginia Beach Seniors Golf Group.

Beloved by his family, friends and neighbors, Charlie never met a stranger. A man of integrity, he spent countless hours helping others throughout the community.

Charlie received his BA from McKendree College and his MBA from George Washington University. He served on the staff of Owensboro College and Evansville College.

In 1953, Charlie married his college sweetheart, June Render. For 61 years they shared an adventure, raising a family and experiencing, as military families do, having "sand in their shoes." After numerous tours of duty, serving from coast to coast for over 32 years, "The Captain" retired from the Coast Guard in 1987 as Commanding Officer of USCG Support Center Portsmouth.

He was predeceased by his parents the Rev. and Mrs. E.M. Leckrone and brother the Rev. Wm Leckrone. He is survived by his devoted wife June and children: the Rev. Susan (David) Copley, Phillip (Catherine) Leckrone, Joy (Marion) Hunter, David (Margaret) Leckrone, and grandchildren: Megan Copley; John, Michael and Timothy Leckrone; Samuel and Andrew Hunter; Jeffrey, Thomas and Kimberly Leckrone and by his sister Gaby (John) Wilferth.

The funeral will be held Monday, October 13 at 11 a.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, Portsmouth. The burial will be held Tuesday, October 14 at 10 a.m. at A.G. Horton Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. For further information contact Foster Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, in thanksgiving for Charlie's life, may be sent to: Centenary United Methodist Church, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703 or the American Red Cross, noting in the memo: "Blood Services, Transportation in memory of CH Leckrone." Mail to: American Red Cross, ATTN: Chapter Finance, 611 West Brambleton, Norfolk, VA 23510.