Obituaries

LIFE AND LEGACY BY CLAUDETTE SCOTT

On February 17, 2020 Dr. Robert Leary Reid, Sr., MD,  age 90, of Lincolnton, passed through Heaven's Gates, lovingly embraced by Marguerite, his beloved wife of 49 years, parents Robert Lee and Moena Funderburk Reid, sister Louise Reid Smith and brother-in-law John Smith, Joe Hill, Jenny Shipp, and a multitude of other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Covenant Church, Lincolnton, NC on Wednesday, February 19 at 2:00 pm  Rev. Michael E. Devine will be officiating.  Visitation will be held following the service.  Burial will precede the service at Hollybrook Cemetery at 12:00 noon. 

Dr. Leary was born in Lowell, NC on October 23, 1929.  He graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1947 and continued on to receive his Doctor of Medicine from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1954.

Dr. Leary's pursuit of medicine began as a 6th grader when hospitalized for nearly two weeks with a life-threatening blood infection after multiple ear infections resulted in high fevers and delirium.  Penicillin was not yet discovered, but with the excellent care of doctors and nurses along with the treatment of sulfa drugs, Leary recovered.  This proved to be a life-changing experience.  By the time Leary was an 8th grader, he knew he had a calling to become a doctor.  He began focusing his curriculum in the sciences in order to prepare himself for medical school.

During his second year of medical school, Dr. Leary married Marguerite Leatherman on December 16, 1951.  They were blessed with 3 sons, Robert Leary Reid, Jr., Marvin "Marty" Leatherman Reid, Alan Jordan Reid, and one daughter, Julie Reid Reeder.

After completing his internship in Family Practice at Spartanburg General Hospital in 1955, Dr. Leary began his military career with Basic Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.  From January-June 1956, Dr. Leary as First Lieutenant, trained to be a Flight Surgeon at Craig AF Base, Selma, Alabama.  From July 1956-September 1957, Dr. Leary was stationed at Stallings AF Base, Kinston, NC.  He was released from active duty in September 1957 at Seymour Johnson AF Base, Goldsboro, NC.  From 1958-1972, Leary served in the medical reserves, retiring with the rank of Captain.

Leary began his civilian medical career at Greenville Hospital, SC until 1958 when approached by Dr. James "Jim" Reinhardt in Lincolnton to take over his practice at Crowell Hospital with the condition that Leary and Marguerite buy his house in Crowell Park in order for Dr. Reinhardt to attend Duke University and specialize in radiology.  In 1963, Leary and Marguerite moved into the house they built at 402 East McBee Street with their growing family of three sons.  Not long after, Dr. Leary had the privilege of coaching Marguerite through labor in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, arriving just in time for Dr. Leary to deliver Julie, his only daughter, in the hospital.  As Dr. Sam Wilson  walked into the Delivery Room, Leary said to him, "Come on in! You can finish up!"

In February 1970, Dr. Leary and Dr. Maurice Canaday opened Lincoln Family Practice together and built the office in Doctor's Park.  In 1982, Dr. Robert L. Reid, Jr. joined the practice.  In 1994, the practice joined Carolinas Health Care, moving to a new location in 1997 at 614 Center Drive.  In 2000, Dr. Leary retired at 70 years of age.

Dr. Leary was one of the founding members of Covenant Bible Church of Lincolnton.  He served on the 12-member Church Steering Committee as the first government of the newly organized church.  As the permanent plan for church government was established, Dr. Leary was ordained as an Elder in 1985.  He served in that capacity until retirement.  He held the office of Elder Emeritus until his death.

Leary and Marguerite enjoyed only one year of retirement together before Marguerite went to be with her Lord Jesus on September 5, 2001.  On January 17, 2003, Leary married Caroline Early Chrouch.  In March 2011, Leary and Caroline became residents of The Village at Abernethy Laurels, Newton.

Dr. Leary leaves a lasting legacy of love in his devoted wife, Caroline, of the home, 4 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren:  Leary's oldest son Dr. Robert L. Reid, Jr. and wife Lydia of Lincolnton and their children:  Anna Elizabeth Reid Sullivan and husband Adam; Dr. Michael Robert Reid and wife Alia-Marie, their children Robert Andrew and Anna Evelyn "Eva"; Dr. Nicholas David Reid and wife Dr. Alyssa Reid, and their daughter Madeleine Elyse; Mary Kelly Reid Henderson and husband Joshua, their daughters Juliet Elise, Lucy Eleanor and son Reid Elliot Henderson;  Leary's middle son Marvin “Marty” Leatherman Reid and wife, Jocelyn of Lincolnton, their son John Marvin and Marty's daughter Lacy Jacqueline of Nashville, TN;  Leary's youngest son Alan Jordan Reid of Davidson, daughter-in-law Terri Wilhelm Reid of Huntersville, and their children Connor Douglas, Benjamin Titus, and Rebekah Jordan; and Leary's daughter Julie and husband Alton Reeder, Jr. of Lincolnton, and their daughter Katherine “Katie” Alyssa and son Joseph “Joe” Paul.

Dr. Leary is also survived by his brother Flay Reid and wife Joyce of Columbia, SC, his sister Wanda Reid Thompson of Minnesota, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covenant Church of Lincolnton or the benevolent fund of United Church Homes and Services (UCHS) Foundation, 100 Leonard Avenue, Newton NC. 28658.

The family of Dr. R. Leary Reid wishes to thank The Abernethy Laurels home care staff.