Message from karen dodd

On behalf of Leonard's sister in Australia, Betty Jo And her three Children, Wes, Karen And Doug (and families), we send our condolences, prayers and warmest thoughts to all the family. Betty often shared fond memories of her little brother and was so proud of his career, community and personal achievements. Betty and family moved to Australia many years ago but visited the family in Tennessee several times since. She speaks with cherished memories of those special times. Betty lost her husband, Hugh in November and is gradually adjusting to life with out him after 65 years of marriage. Please know that our thoughts are with Leonard's Family at this time. Sending love from the Australian family. 💛 💜
Karen Dodd

Message from Charlie Walldorf

I knew Leonard through our serving on the board of the Army for years. He was a really fine man whom I admired so very much. He will be greatly missed by me personally as well as by the Army . I rejoice that I know he is in Heaven with his Lord & Savior.


In Christ,

Charlie Walldorf

Message from Steve Brown

I have been gone from Fort Oglethorpe for a long time but I still recall the days when I was growing up and Mr. Fant was our mayor. Because of people like Mr. Fant, it was a wonderful community. I did not know him as a youngster -- but I finally got to meet him when he joined the board of the Friends of the 6th Cavalry Museum. I serve on that board as well. Whenever I would see him at a board meeting, I always addressed him as "Mr. Mayor". He, in turn, would always smile when I addressed him in that way. I called him "Mr. Mayor" out of respect for what he had done for my hometown.

Steve Brown

Message from David Bosshardt

Bobbie, please accept my sympathy to you and the family in Leonard's passing. He had been a great friend and neighbor and is as responsible as any person in my coming to Fort Oglethorpe to practice. God prepared a special person to give me the encouragement to work in a place that I loved for so many years. His last great effort was in trying to save Hutcheson which he worked at with great effort, trying to repair the damage to the strong foundation he had laid there. Both of you have been so active in the support and encouragement of the community. The memory of your efforts live on. The example of what both of you have done will be a legacy to future generations.
May God grant you comfort in this time of loss
David and Elaine Bosshardt

Message from Susan Smith

Much love and many prayers lifted for you all in this time of great loss. What a wonderful man he was! Our thoughts are with you. May God give you peace and comfort.
With fond memories, Mickey and Susan (Ackerson) Smith

Message from Marlene Frenchi

B so sorry to hear bout Leonard! Remember the good times our families had togetherat Ft Oglethorpe Metodist zchurch and kids went to school together! Love Marlene French

Message from Celeste Sanders Holloway

My condolences to your family. I have good memories of Mr. Fant while growing up in Fort Oglethorpe. Peace be with your family.

A candle was lit by Anita Patrick on October 11, 2016 12:44 PM

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We extend our sympathy and prayers to the family. God created a great man that meant a lot to the lives he touched.

Love & condolences,
Anita & Mike Patrick

Message from Tracy Wade

We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Hank & Tracy Wade
Flowery Branch, Ga.

Message from Aaron Brown

A great, gentle man. Always had a smile & could always make you laugh. He helped me when my husband Sonny was in the hospital & when he passed away. He was the best friend & neighbor we ever had. He helped everyone in so many ways & never expected anything in return. I will miss him so much. Our thoughts & prayers are with Bobbie and his family. We love you.

Geraldine Whitlow

A candle was lit by Patsy Brown Atkins on October 11, 2016 2:37 AM

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Lit a candle in memory of Leonard Fant

Message from Mary Carpenter

To the family, our community has lost a patriarch. Leonard had a heart of gold. He got me started working with United Way and I will always appreciate him for that. He opened my eyes to organizations in need and opened my heart to them as well. He will be missed and everybody knows you can't say No to Leonard! God Bless Your Family and prayers to all.

Message from Tracie Blevins

Bobbie, Lynn, Britt, Drenda and families, I was so sad to hear of Leanord's passing. I remember him as kind, fun and always willing to help. I know that he will be missed by so many. My favorite story was during state championship baseball games in Snellville. The new 2A wasn't even open but Mr. Fant would lead us all down that road late at night as we were all trying to get home. He knew it would make everyone's drive just a little shorter. At 15 I thought it was so cool to be able to do that. Dad and I talk about those days often. Our prayers are with you all.

Tracie Simmons Blevins

Message from Anthony Hodges

Bobbie, Lynn, and family,

I returned from a trip to find an inbox full of messages letting me know that Leonard had passed away. That so many people cared enough to let me know is a small tribute to Leonard.

On a personal level, I deeply appreciate the example Leonard set as President of Friends of Chick-Chatt NMP and his mentoring when I was chosen to succeed him as President. His advice and friendship was important to me on a personal level as well. I will think of Leonard every time I enter the Visitor Center at Chickamauga Battlefield. It will stand, along with many other accomplishments in our area, as a reminder of a dedicated public servant and a good friend, Leonard Fant.

Anthony
Anthony Hodges,DDS
President, Friends of Chickamauga-Chattanooga NMP

Message from Aaron Brown

Mr. Fant was a wonderful neighbor for so many years. He was such a wonderful, kind & gentle person. He used to let me & my friends play baseball in his yard. I will miss seeing him drive up in his golf cart saying hello to me & my grandmother. He was a really good person & I will miss him so much. My prayers go out to his wife Bobbie & his family.

Aaron Brown

Message from Mary Ellen Maycann

I was so sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. My prayers are with his family.

Mary Ellen Maycann

Message from Velma D Hixson

Leonard was truly a wonderful man who served in so many roles during his lifetime. I will always remember his smile and an occasional phone call accidentally coming to me when he was trying to call home! Have been missing him on the Classic 150 board. Prayers for all the family that you will remember all the happy times to help you get through those dark and sad times. Velma Hixson

Message from Dale Hawkins

We are sadden as a Kiwanis family. Our prayers go out to the family.

Dale Hawkins & family

Message from byron stutz

I worked for Leonard Fant for many years at Erlanger. He always listened and provided great leadership with compassion. His sense of humour was legendary.
He was a strategic thinker and helped lead Erlanger through some tough times.
sincerely,
Byron Stutz

Message from Bart McKinney

Britt, I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad.

Bart McKinney

Message from Chip Faircloth

Too little space, too much too say. I met Leonard 40 years ago, recruited by him to become administrator of Children’s Hospital. He was a great and inspiring “boss” and mentor. We had fun doing good, sometimes great, work together. In 1983 I when he left Erlanger to become Hutcheson’s CEO, I wrote an ode to Leonard entitled “Isn’t This Exciting”. I did so because he made that phrase internally “famous” while he was Erlanger’s COO.

In those days, while I did not think of it, in addition to “resilient”, “Isn’t This Exciting” also summed up Leonard’s approach to and vigor for life, for service to work, community, family and friends. Over the years since, we have maintained our friendship and devotion to each other. We loved and helped each other – certainly more him to me, than me to him. As a young man without a Dad, Leonard was among a small number of men who served as a grown man model for me.

Leonard was a giver not a taker. North Georgia, Chattanooga, many other parts of the US and world are better because you were here. I pray that the many of us who knew you will take parts of what you meant to us and “pay them forward”, so that you and your spirit can live on in making people and our surroundings better!

I love you and will sorely miss you. I will try to act in a way that honors your influence on me.

Chip Faircloth

Message from Andrea Hicks Hechavarria

Mr Leonard Fant...a very intelligent man with an awesome sense of humor. He loved to laugh and give a smile to all those he encountered. Rest in peace dear one.
To the family, I pray God will quickly replace your tears with smiles of wonderful memories of him!

Message from Al and Yvonne Porell

We are so sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. We offer our deepest sympathy to Bobbie and the family. We are certain that Leonard is in the loving arms of God, and we offer our prayers for all the family and friends who are grieving his departure.

Al and Yvonne Porell

Pink Tribute Spray was purchased for the family of Leonard Fant.

Message from Marcia Lehman, Niece

Rest in peace, Uncle Leonard. You will be missed by the many people whose lives you touched. Keep those angels in heaven smiling!

Message from Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory

A tribute video has been added.

Message from Judy Acuff

Bobbie, praying for you and your family. Leonard was a great man and was always ready to help others any way that he could. I will always remember the auctions that he did for the BWGA. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Judy Welborn Acuff

Message from Steve Gentry

I remember Leonard visiting Lakeview High School when he was the mayor of Fort Oglethorpe. He was the most important person I had ever met and he made me think I could do anything I wanted. He was my primary inspiration to achieve my life goals. I have gotten to know the entire family during my adult life and would like for you to know that other than my father, Leonard is the only person that I have cried when I heard of his death. He touched many lives...Probably many that you will never know about.

Message from Karen Diamond

Dear Bobbie, Lynn and the rest of your wonderful family,
I send you my deepest sympathies and I will be with you on Monday. I wanted to share the note I sent to the present board members of Friends of the Park when I heard your sad news.

I know that those of us who were there "at the beginning" feel this loss keenly as do so many others with whom Leonard worked in so many organizations over the years. He was our friend, our mentor, our cheerleader, our leader. He was a dear friend and a giant of our organization.

I know some of your board members didn't know Leonard or know of his service to Friends of the Park and the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. Indulge me as I give you a little background. When we organized Friends of the Park in 1986, Leonard was CEO of Hutcheson Hospital. Except for the first 2 years when the original board meetings were held at the downtown Chattanooga Chamber office, I think all of the meetings thereafter were held either at Hutcheson or, later, at Blood Assurance, where Leonard then went to take command. As the committee planned the Blue & Gray Barbecue, which he chaired in 1988-89, we always knew we'd have a great lunch provided by his chef at the hospital. Always Leonard's treat. Later at Blood Assurance, the rule was that Leonard would pay for everyone's lunches as long as one person attending a meeting would give blood. It took Kay Parish and me a long time to do so but eventually we did!

Leonard Fant was known by everyone as a generous, inspiring, cheerful and wise man. In every meeting I ever attended with him, his straightforward common sense provided the groundwork for wise decisions and actions. He was the kind of person who, when he got in a full elevator, wouldn't think of riding in silence. His first words were a cheery, "How is everyone today?"

Does anyone remember his voice mail message? Something to the effect of, "I'm not here right now. I'm out somewhere doing good." He was a marketing genius. He adored Bobbie and his children, golf, bicycling and the Park, where he rode his bicycle as often as he could. He was a key player in the development of the original multi-media show at the Battlefield. He was the impetus behind the FOP golf tournament held for years at the Battlefield Country Club. He and I went on countless fundraising calls together - first for the 100th anniversary, then for the Wilder Tower fundraising effort and then, for the Roundabout Festival. Every call was an entertaining event made so much fun by Leonard's humor and positive attitude.

I could say much more but I just wanted you to know that Leonard Fant was one of those people who leave a huge hole in the fabric of our world and in the hearts of those of us who knew him.
My love and condolences to you all,
Karen

Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Leonard Fant.

Message from Barbara Holland

I am so sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. I have nothing but wonderful thoughts of him. He was so influential and helpful to our community and area. I am sending my heartfelt sympathy and prayers for each of you.

A candle was lit by lola burrows on October 7, 2016 6:53 PM

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Lit a candle in memory of Leonard Fant

Message from Susan O'Donald

I am a better person for knowing this man! He will be missed, but I know he is singing and doing a soft shoe dance in Heaven! Dance on my friend!

A candle was lit by Jackie Goolsby on October 7, 2016 3:02 PM

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Leonard Fant was a true icon in Catoosa County. He will definitely be missed.