Don Nelson Leneave, age 81, of Paducah, KY, passed away at 1:09 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at his residence. Mr. Leneave was a 1955 graduate of the last class of Augusta Tilghman. Don started working as a young man at Leneave & Son helping his father at 6th and Tennessee Street. in 1954, Don opened and operated Leneave & Son on 21st and Old Mayfield Rd. and remained there for 60 years. Don was a member of West End Baptist Church and the Senior Basketball Team. He was an avid Tilghman and UK sports fan as well as a Lone Oak Football fan.
Don, along with his friend WR , operated WR and Don Racing. Don and WR built several cars during the 1950’s thru the 1970’s with Don building the motors and WR driving. During racing times, Don was the best builder around. Most people remember them racing from Atlanta to St. Louis, Memphis, Bowling Green, Sturgis and Detroit. In Detroit and Indianapolis, 1960, they set a National Record that was never broken. All races they attended, they either came home with trophy or money.
Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Lou Bartlett Leneave; a daughter, Debbie Dew and husband Roger of Paducah, KY, children, Lauren Gray, Justin Gray and his wife Cynthia and their daughter, Madison Gray; a daughter, Darla Clark and husband Billy Bob of Paducah, KY, their children, Austin Clark and fiance Heather Thomas and Morgan Clark; a son, Gary Don Leneave and his wife, Marta of Paducah, KY, their child, Claydon”Clay” Leneave; son, David Leneave of Paducah, KY; a son, Michael “Mikie” Leneave of Paducah, KY and his children, Jackson Leneave and Audrey Leneave.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Sue Leneave Resch. His parents were Claydus “Clay” D. Leneave and Cleotis “Ode” I. Leneave Leneave.
The Leneave family would like to express a special thanks to Daisy Downen for her loving care. And the family would like to express a special thanks to Lourdes Homecare and Hospice Teams.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah with Dr. Dan Summerlin, Rev. Tommy Tucker and Rev. Russ Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: McCracken Co. Special Olympics, 6460 Lovelaceville Rd. Paducah, KY 42001.
You may leave a message or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.