Leon Elmer Baer

Leon Elmer Baer, 82, of Doe Hill, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The son of Mennie Lillian Smith and William Lurty Baer, he was born in Riverton, WV on November 7, 1941.

A beloved member of Highland and Pendleton County communities, Leon was a welder by trade. Before his retirement to Doe Hill in 2011, he had worked for the railroad industry, welding refrigerated cars for 17 years.

Leon was an outdoorsman who loved the peace and quiet of his home in the woods. He was always laughing and joking with his friends. His favorite pastimes included driving to the store or a restaurant for his meals three times a day, and to blow the horn or wave to his friends and stop to visit. His health began to decline more than a year ago when he was no longer able to drive, and thus, could no longer visit with friends as he had so enjoyed. On March 29, Good Friday, it was discovered that he had cancer, and Leon spent the remainder of his time at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters.

He is survived by two brothers, Loy Baer of Head Waters and Alvin “Elwood” Baer and wife, Juanita of Staunton; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Head Waters Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be friends in attendance.

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 16^th at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Highland County Humane Society, with whom Leon’s dog resides, P.O. Box 458, Monterey, VA, 24465 or Head Waters Cemetery, c/o Elmo Varner, 14952 Highland Turnpike, Head Waters, Va. 24442.