Leon E. Sulton Sr.

Leon E. Sulton departed this earthly life for his heavenly home on Monday, January 29, 2018, at his home in Columbia. Born on August 31st, 1928, in Columbia, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Sadie Sulton and Manuel Abney. Educated in the public schools of Richland County, Leon attended Howard Elementary, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Benedict College in Columbia. Leon began a long and distinguished 20-year career in the military that included nearly 5 years in the Army and 15+ additional years in the Air Force where he served as a Surgical Technician. It was during this time that Leon met and married the love of his life, the former Marguerite “Slick” McDaniel. Their union was blessed with four children: Leon Jr., Gail, Jean, and Derek; and was the light of both their lives for over 45 years until her untimely death in 1994. During his military career, Leon traveled extensively throughout the United States (with his longest stint being at Hill AFB, Utah) and abroad, including Japan, England, and Germany. After his military career ended in 1969, Leon began his second career as an administrator working for Job Corps and ARA Environmental Services from which he also retired. Upon completing his military and civilian service, Leon and Marguerite returned home to Columbia, South Carolina, for retirement. Although he was retired, Leon continued to contribute to his community by working at the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign War). Leon was an avid sports fan, fisherman and hunter, trivia buff (Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune were his favorites), and crossword puzzle lover, among his other hobbies. His favorite sports teams were the Carolina Panthers and San Antonio Spurs. His favorite sports stars were Tiger Woods and Venus and Serena Williams. His children considered their father as their rock, their crown jewel who was full of empathy, compassion and strength. He was their resident encyclopedia of knowledge on any and all subjects, especially those issues involving medical matters. He was always willing to listen to everyone else about their problems and circumstances, without complaining about his own—and the advice he would give to others was based upon a wealth of knowledge and a bounty of life experiences. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Leon was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Brown Gaulman; his sister-in-law, Catherine “Cat” Wadsworth; and his niece, Linda Wadsworth Wicker. Leon leaves to cherish precious memories his four children: Leon (Leslie) Sulton, Jr., Gail Biehl (companion Ben G. Sweet), Jean Cooper, Derek (Carmela) Sulton; two grandchildren: Christopher Sulton and Christian Sulton; four great-grandchildren: Michael, Brennan, Kennedy and Roman; one great-great grandchild, Akyala; a sister, Jacqueline (Gary) Dukes; nine nieces and nephews: Frederick (Denita) Gaulman, Roderick (Erica) Gaulman, Reginald (Christina) Gaulman, Rosalind Gaulman, Sandra Gaulman (Johnny) Henry, Darlene Gaulman (Andrew) James, Dr. Reverend SanDawna Gaulman (Murphy) Ashley (children of the late Dorothy Brown Gaulman), David Wadsworth, Gloria Wadsworth Doucette (children of the late Catherine Wadsworth); cousins: Alvin (Robert) Shealey and son Matthew; companion and long-time friend, Ms. Mary Hammond; and a host of other relatives, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make memorial donations to The Prostate Cancer Foundation (1250 Fourth Street Santa Monica, California 90401, or online at www.pcf.org) or the Lupus Foundation of America (2121 K Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, SC 20037, or online at www.lupus.org).

Leon E. Sulton Sr.

August 31, 1928 - January 29, 2018