Leonard Brearey Obituary

Leonard Jonathan Brearey BEAUFORT - Leonard Jonathan Brearey passed away at age 93, on January 17, 2010 at the home of his son Jonathan and wife, Sarah Brearey in Beaufort, NC. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2010 at Infant of Prague Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Douglas Smiley officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marie Dorsey Brearey. He leaves six children and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His son, Jonathan and his wife, Sarah Brearey; Jonathan's son, Paul Brearey and companion, Brad, and daughter, Shannon Jones and husband, Tom and their two children; his son, Tim and wife, Debbie Brearey; his son, George and wife, Alice Brearey; George's daughters, Emily and Mallory Brearey; his son, Jeb and wife, Jennifer Brearey and their son, Evan; his daughter, Caroline and husband, Robert Shahid and their two children; daughter, Jean Marie and husband, Nick Cristo and their two children and daughter, Tatum and husband, Ben McNeel and their son; his daughter, Peggy and husband, Larry White and their two children; their daughter, Amy and son, Jeff and wife, Heather White. Leonard served his country proudly and bravely for 27 years in the United States Marine Corp. He fought valiantly in World War II and the Korean War and retired in1968 after 27 years of service as a decorated Chief Warrant Officer 3. Leonard received multiple medals and awards while serving including the Navy Commendation Medal W/ Combat V, Good Conduct Medal W/ 4 stars, Presidential Unit Citation W/ 3 stars, American Defense Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal W/ 1 star, World War II Victory Medal, U.S. Navy Occupation Medal W/ Asiatic Clasp, National Defense Service Medal W/1 Star, Korean Service Medal W/6 stars, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. After retiring from the United States Marine Corp he attended East Carolina University. He graduated with a B. S. in History. He taught one year at Swansboro High school before taking a job with the Employment Security Commission. He worked there for six years and retired in 1978 with his wife Marie in Cape Carteret, NC. Leonard was a loving husband, a supportive father, an inspiring grandfather, and a sincere man. He never forgot a loved ones birthday or missed a grandchild's dance recital and he always put his family first. He will be deeply missed by those who love him. The family will receive friends Friday morning prior to the mass from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home, 303 Chaney Avenue, Jacksonville. Private electronic condolences may be left for the family at www.jonesfh.org. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Labre Indian School, PO Box 216, Ashland, MT 59003. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths