He was born on March 11, 1930, in Chanute and was the only child of Sam Alfred and Dolores (Cation) Wood. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1948 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After his honorable discharge in 1952, he attended Chanute Junior College.
Leonard was united in marriage to Kathleen C. Copeland on Jan. 23, 1953, in Chanute. He later attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg and graduated with a master’s degree in education and school administration in 1956. The couple moved to Topeka, and Leonard was hired by USD 501. In August 1958, he was promoted to principal, starting at Dawson School. He was assigned to Belvoir Elementary in 1961 and was there for 11 years.
The whole family accompanied Leonard to Ethiopia, as Topeka had an exchange program established with the American Community School in Addis Ababa. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent there. The family returned to the Topeka area in June 1976, and Leonard returned to USD 501. Leonard especially enjoyed his assignment at French Middle School, where he finished his education career.
Since retiring, he and Kathleen have had many adventures, including driving to Alaska twice. They purchased the family farm in Savonburg, which had been homesteaded by Leonard’s great-great-great-grandparents. They built a new home on the farm and were very happy to return to the area where both Leonard and Kathleen grew up.
Leonard never stopped teaching. He was a Kansas Safe Hunter instructor while living in Africa, and a gun safety advocate his entire life. He also enjoyed big game hunting in Africa. He was much loved by his family, friends, students and those with whom he worked.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Marsha Clovis, D’Ann Hunt and her husband, Don, all of Tucson, Ariz., and Rebecca Cox of Panama City, Fla.; three grandchildren, Anna (Clovis) Ritchie and her husband, Sam, of Wichita, Barton Cox and Mackenzie Cox, both of Panama City, Fla.; and three cousins, Warren Wood, and his wife, Loretta, of Olathe, Dale Cation and his wife, Elizabeth, of Fort Scott and Dan Cation and his wife, Carol, of Savonburg.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Scott Alfred Wood.
The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Big Creek Chapel in rural Chanute. Military honors will be given by Boestler-May Post No. 170, American Legion.
Memorials are suggested to Big Creek Chapel and may be mailed to Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66773.
Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
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