Fred Alvin Leath, 78, of Galax, VA, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2015, at Twin County Regional Hospital.

Fred was born on September 6, 1936, in Carroll County, VA. On July, 25, 1953, Fred was 1 of 18 people in Grayson County who contracted the Polio virus. Learning to deal with the crippling disease, Fred graduated from High School in 1957, in Fries, VA. He then continued his education by attending business college in Roanoke, VA. Fred briefly worked in the bookkeeping department at Washington Mills in Fries, VA, before moving to Winston-Salem, NC. There he found permanent employment with Poindexter Lumber Company where he worked for 37 years, retiring on September 29, 1998. After retirement, Fred continued enjoying his hobbies, which included fishing, wood working, and flea marketing.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Gracie Leath; two sisters and their husbands, Monrovia and Homer Isom and Florence and Sam Bourne; three brothers, Marshall Leath and his wife Dorothy, Rhudy Leath and Calvin Leath; one son Allen Leath.

Survivors include one sister and her husband, Eunilee and Frank Bailey, of Pfafftown, NC; one son Clay Leath of Bedford, VA; two daughters, Sherry Leath of Advance, NC and Ginger Moore and her husband Jason of Mocksville, NC. Five grandchildren, Josh, Amanda and Cody Leath and Troy and Lacey Moore; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to extend special thanks to all the nurses and staff of the Blue Ridge Golden Living Center and Twin County Regional Hospital for all their love and dedication toward caring for Fred.

Fred will lay in state and receive friends from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, February 21 2015, at the Vaughn-Guynn Funeral Home in Galax, VA with a funeral service officiated by Carroll Lineberry at 3pm. Following the service, burial will be at the Monta Vista Cemetery in Galax, VA.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.