Leo Elwood Dillingham, age 78, of 32 Tobacco Rd Weaverville N.C, left his earthly home to be with his heavenly father on December 26, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1945, in Barnardsville N.C. to the late Lyman and Zertha Banks Dillingham.

He spent his early years fishing, hunting, trapping, logging, digging ginseng, landscaping, doing carpentry, and playing music with his uncle Pat Banks. He started school in Newport News, VA, then went to Black Mountain Elementary and Owen High School in Swannanoa, NC. Leo finished his formal education in the Marines where he earned his G.E.D. and attended the Marine Corps Engineer School. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps February18th, 1966 and was in Vietnam for 17 months as a combat

engineer sweeping for mines, cutting helicopter landing zones, and was involved on at least 14 operations involving combat, earning his commander a bronze star. Leo was honorably discharged from the Marines on February 17th, 1968 as a Sargent.

In 1970 he married Lora Ramsey and had three boys Lawrence, Leonard, and Lester. He loved bluegrass music and taught himself to play the guitar and banjo. He played music with and was friends with some of the legends of Appalachian music in the 70's when he lived in Sodom Laurel, Madison County. He was a tobacco farmer, roofer, and did rock work, backhoe work, and many other jobs, being totally self-employed; he built his own house by himself in the meantime. Leo was a great husband, father, and loved his grandchildren dearly and will be missed by many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara Mousaw, and Susie Enloe; sister-in-law, Jean Dillingham, and her son Kevin Dillingham; and a niece, Angi Niccum-Martin.

Leo is survived by his wife, Lora Dillingham; sons, Lawrence Dillingham and his wife Christiana and their sons Lucas and Isaac Dillingham; Leonard Dillingham and his daughters, Allison, and Ashley Dillingham, Lester Dillingham and his girlfriend Felicia Hughes; Rita and Smokey Moulton; brothers, Ronald and his Lavon Dillingham, Gary Dillingham, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Blue Ridge Funeral Services, Mars Hill, N.C. from 1:00 to 2:00 Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. The graveside service will follow at John F. Dillingham cemetery, on Houston Road, Barnardsville, NC.

Online condolences can be sent to the Dillingham family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.