James Leitner Obituary

LEITNER, James ROCK HILL Mr. James Dunlap Leitner, Jr., 61, died Sunday, August 12, 2007 at his home after a 12-year battle with cancer. Born in Charleston, SC on December 6, 1945, to Mrs. Frances McDowell Leitner of Rock Hill and the late Mr. James D. "JD" Leitner, Sr. He spent his early life in Chester, where he graduated from Chester High School. While there, he quarterbacked the 1963 Cyclone football team to the AA SC State Championship Title. He then moved on to The Citadel, where he earned a football scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1968. Following graduation, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Vietnam. He received his MBA from the University of South Carolina before working for MB Khan Construction. In 1973, he joined his brother, Mac, as Vice-President and Co-Owner of Leitner Construction Company. Jimmy married Sandra Bedenbaugh in 1975 and they have one son, Dr. James D. Leitner, III of Rock Hill. He will be remembered for his love of his church, family, friends, and his alma mater, The Citadel, where he served as a Director of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, life member of the Alumni Association, and The Citadel Football Association. He lovingly served as an active member of The Church of Our Saviour, twice serving as Vestryman, Senior Warden, and Foundation member. Also, he served for 16 years as a member and Vice Chairman of The South Carolina Coastal Council. He was an active member of the Rock Hill Rotary Club, where he served as President and received the Paul Harris Award for outstanding service to the community. In addition to his wife, son, and mother, he is survived by his brothers, Simms M. Leitner and wife, Doris, of Rock Hill, Dr. Thomas C. Leitner and wife, Tracey, of Monroe, NC; his sister, Frances L. Rouse and husband, Marshall, of Rock Hill; and his beloved Boykin spaniel, "Salley". The funeral service will be 1pm Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour with Dr. Charles Foss officiating and the Reverend Frank P. Seignious, III assisting. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Tuesday, August 14, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Leitner Family Scholarship, The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409, to The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour Building Fund, 144 Caldwell St., Rock Hill, SC 29732, or Hospice and Community Care of Rock Hill, 223 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC 29732. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.