Leonard Joseph Fairchild Jr.

Mr. Leonard Joseph Fairchild Jr., 93, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home following a brief illness. Mr. Fairchild was born on December 13, 1931, in Lauderdale County, Mississippi to the late Mr. Leonard Joseph Fairchild Sr. and Mrs. Mary Lucille Cooper Fairchild.

Leonard was employed by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco company as a Mechanic where he worked until retirement in 1991. He was a member of the Winston-Salem Rescue Squad for many years where he took great pride in volunteering to serve his community. Leonard was a faithful member of Edgewood Baptist Church where he served as a deacon in the church and on several committies since the founding and building of the church in 1964.

He served on the school board of Edgewood Christian School and volunteered there for all 12 years, until his daughter’s graduation.

In recent years, he has attended College Park Baptist Church. He made sure that he was on the church bus on Sundays from Brookridge Assisted Living! Leonard was an avid fan of Nascar, even volunteering through the Rescue Squad standing by the infield at Bowman Gray Racetrack He stood with legends such as Richard Petty and Benny Parsons. He loved spending time with his family, his friends, especially his morning breakfast club at McDonald’s, and he loved to play golf.

Leonard proudly served our country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. His first love was the Navy, but he was given the choice of Navy or his love back home, his wife, Mary. After four faithful years of service, Leonard chose to come home to her. Together, they began to build a life full of love and memories. They had their daughter, Dena, who was the light of their lives. Many of Dena’s friends would become just like Leonard’s own. Dena was an only child, but he “adopted” many kids, even though they had parents.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill Fairchild; a sister, Bonnie Cook, and a very special niece Renee Bailey.

Mr. Fairchild is survived by his wife, Mary Flynn Fairchild; a daughter, Dena Barker (Don); a grandson, Craig Barker (Alex); a sister, Bobbie Jane Flynn; a very special lady he claimed as his granddaughter, Katie Leagans; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 2:00pm at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. Ramon Smith officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory Walkertown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; Edgewood Baptist Church, 4067 Reidsville Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107; or College Park Baptist Church, 1701 Polo Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is respectfully serving the family of Mr. Fairchild.