Hugh Leavell Garnett

Hugh Leavell Garnett, 98, of Advance, NC and formerly of Harrisonburg, VA died December 15, 2015. He was born October 14, 1917 in Warrenton, Virginia to Dr. Richard W. and Edwina Leavell Garnett. Hugh attended school in Pittsylvania County and Danville, Virginia and graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in 1936. In 1941 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in agronomy and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Infantry. He was married in April, 1942 to Marie Johnson who he met during his days at Virginia Tech. Also in 1942 Hugh transferred to the Army Air Corps and upon completion of training served as a B-24 pilot in the 15th Air Force in North Africa and Italy. During his service with the 15th he completed 50 combat missions and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.

At the end of World War II, Hugh was hired by American Overseas Airlines and at the outbreak of the Korean War volunteered with the Air Force where he flew the B-36 out of Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1953 he returned to the airline business, this time with Pan American Airlines.

Hugh and his family moved to Harrisonburg, VA in November, 1956, where he was a faithful member of Asbury Memorial Methodist Church and later a part-time flight instructor at Bridgewater Air Park. He retired from Pan American in 1977 and pursued several flying opportunities for the next several years. Hugh moved to Mocksville, NC in 2005 and Advance in April, 2010.

Hugh was pre-deceased by his wife Marie in 2005. He is survived by his son, Steve and wife Janie of Mocksville; grandson, Sean Garnett and wife Amy of Dacula, GA; granddaughter, Jennifer Hyer and husband Adam of West Salem, WI; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service of worship and celebration of Hugh's life will be held at Blaise Baptist Church in Mocksville, NC on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in honor of Hugh to Davie Pregnancy Care Center, PO Box 296, Mocksville, NC 27028.

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