Individual Details

Death

James G. (Jack) Leslie, 90 of Charles Town, WV passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 at home under the care of Hospice of the Panhandle. Jack was born on September 26, 1935 in Frederick, MD, the son of James Erroll Leslie and Helen Elizabeth Jennings Leslie. He is survived by his son, James Gary Leslie, Jr. and wife Melissa and daughter, Melinda Leslie Furr and husband Greg. He is survived by sister-in-law, Eileen Ware Leslie, nephew, David M. Leslie and cousin, Nancy S. Smith of Jefferson, MD. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Erroll Leslie and his pet cat and “co-pilot”, Thelma Lou. Jack was a 1953 graduate of Charles Town High School and received a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Shepherd University in 1957. He became a member of Zeta Sigma and later a charter member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After brief employment with Doubleday Book Publishers in Berryville, VA, he then accepted a position at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV as a chemist in the Geriatrics Research Laboratory and later as a Technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Service retiring after 31 years of service. In 1973, he became an employee at the Charles Town Races in the Admission and later Mutuel Departments retiring in 2003 after 30 years. In 1958, he enlisted in the West Virginia Air National Guard serving with the 167th Military Airlift Squadron in Martinsburg, WV as a reserve and loadmaster on active duty flights to missions worldwide. He was honorary discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1967. He was previously a 30 year member of the Charles Town Lions Club actively serving many positions including President, Zone Chairman, Deputy District Governor and was the Thursday Night Bingo caller for many years. He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Charles Town for more than 80 years. He was also a faithful volunteer at the Charles Town Library. He led a very active life enjoying many interests such as golfing, bowling, reading, walking, traveling and stamp collecting. Services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home in Ranson with Pastor Duane Jensen officiating. Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Edge Hill Cemetery located in Charles Town. The family is grateful for the care provided by Hospice of the Panhandle. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.