LEONARD RALPH SASSER
Died Jan. 3, 2014
ELIZABETHTOWN -- Leonard Ralph Sasser, 85, Elizabethtown, passed away Friday, Jan. 3, 2014.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Rosa Sasser; his wife, Helen Nix Sasser; and a son, Lee Sasser.
He is survived by two sons, Alan Sasser of Topsail Island and Keith Sasser of Goldsboro; three grandchildren, Joel Sasser, Laura Rush and husband, Stewart, and Lynn Smith and husband, Trevor; and a great-grandchild, Owen Rush.
Mr. Sasser began his career of public service in the United States Army during the early 1950s.
He went on to work with the Agriculture Extension Agency in both Duplin and Bladen counties, and eventually he became district extension chairman, overseeing 17 counties.
Among his other accomplishments, he worked with North Carolina blueberry growers, and initiated the Blueberry Festival, served as a master in St. Johns Lodge No. 13 out of Kenansville, was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, served as president of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Growers Association and was a member of Elizabethtown Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Elizabethtown Baptist Church, with the Rev. Chris Carroll and Dr. David Elks officiating.
The family will receive friends after the service in the church.
Burial will take place in Sasser Family Cemetery in Goldsboro Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Southeastern Carolina Crossroads Inc., c/o Bladen Baptist Association, P.O. Box 62, Elizabethtown, N.C., 28337.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 5, 2014 11:27 AM