Charles Arvel McLeod, Sr.

Charles Arvel McLeod, Sr., of Trion, Georgia, passed away July 22, 2020, at Oakview in Summerville. Born July 24, 1934, he was the first baby born at Riegel Hospital soon after it opened in Trion and was the son of the late Grady Arvel McLeod and Shirley Henderson McLeod. He was married for 66 years to his high school sweetheart Margaret Dillard McLeod.

A retired educator, Mr. McLeod taught in Chattooga, Columbia, and Floyd counties in Georgia. From 1975 until 1982, he was the principal at Lyerly Elementary School. He was an enthusiastic golfer, who started out caddying at the Trion Golf Club in the 1940s. Throughout his life he spent many happy hours at the course in Trion with his golfing buddies, many of whom had gone to school together. One of the thrills of his life was being able to attend the Masters Tournament in Augusta almost every year from the 1960s through 2019 often with his brother-in-law Billy Hayes and to watch generations of professional golfers over half a century. Mr. McLeod and his wife were members of the Trion United Methodist Church and also worked together with the Trion Alumni Association for several years.

In addition to his wife Margaret, Mr. McLeod is survived by his children Cynthia Anne McLeod (Don Highfield), Charles Arvel McLeod, Jr. (Lisa), and Keith Arlin McLeod. He was predeceased by their son John Andrew McLeod (Cheryl). Survivors include grandchildren Andrea McLeod, Lauren McLeod, Nicholas Van Pelt, and Kathleen Van Pelt Gibson and great-grandchildren Kaedance, Ameri, and Andrew Van Pelt, Kai McLeod, and Emmaline Gibson, as well as nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

A private celebration of Charles McLeod’s life was held at his daughter Cynthia’s home in Mentone, Alabama, on July 24, 2020, on what would have been his 86th birthday. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends donate to the scholarship fund of the Trion Bulldog Alumni Association at PO Box 295, Trion, GA 30753.