Daniel R. Leasure, 82, of Florence passed away on Friday, October 11, 2013 at ECM Hospital. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church, Florence. The memorial service will follow at Noon with Dr. Richard Gillespie and Rev. James Warren officiating.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Leasure earned his Bachelors Degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and his Doctorate in Education from Penn State University. For over 37 years he dedicated his life to higher education serving as Assistant Dean of Men at Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania and later at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. He then went on to serve as Dean of Students at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and Assistant Vice President of Student Services at Pennsylvania State University. From there, he served as Dean of Student Affairs at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee until he moved to Florence, Alabama in 1983 and became the Dean of Students and later Vice President for Advancement at the University of North Alabama before retiring in 1997.
An Elder at State College Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Florence, Dr. Leasure enjoyed serving on missionary trips and teaching Sunday School. He was an Emeritus member of the Florence Rotary Club and recently received his 60 year Masonic Pin. He enjoyed traveling, visiting with family and friends, gardening and fishing.
Anyone who knew Dr. Leasure will remember his complete dedication to his family, work, charities and his love for Florence and the Shoals Community.
Dr. Leasure is survived by two daughters, Jennifer Dingle (John) of Catonsville, Maryland and Dana Nugent (Malachy) of Washington DC; and four grandchildren, Caroline, Melissa, Jamie, and Julia.
In lieu of flowers, please support the Salvation Army in Dr. Leasure’s memory.
