Obituary of Harold McLeod

Mr. Harold J. McLeod, of Frankfort, NY, was called home Saturday, September 28, 2013, with his loving family by his side. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Harold was born September 6, 1940, in Mayesville, SC, the eldest son of the late Baum and Flossie (Gregg) McLeod Jr. and grand-nephew of Mary McLeod-Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College of Daytona, FL. He was raised and educated locally. He graduated from Utica Free Academy in June, 1958. In 1959, Harold entered the U.S. Army served during the Vietnam era as a Crew launcher instructor and was Honorably discharged in 1963. Harold continued his education by attending MVCC, Syracuse University and Rutgers University. Harold has long served this community in his professional career with the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, Executive Director of the Oneida County Veterans Agency, and the Interim Executive Director of the Cosmopolitan Center. Mr. McLeod has given his time, energy and talents while participating in numerous worthwhile organizations, including the New York State Association of Veterans as Past President, American Legion Post 1686, Past County Commander of the American Legion, the Cornell Cooperative Extension, and as Chairman of the Oneida County Branch of the NAACP Veterans Committee. Harold McLeod has distinguished himself in being the first African-American appointed to the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, the first African-American television moderator in the Utica-Oneida County area (Black Community Report), the first African-American appointed to department head level in Oneida County government and as the recipient of numerous citations and certificates of appreciation from government, private and non-profit organizations. Mr. McLeod was a member of the New York State Senate Veterans Advisory Council along with the Samaritan Counseling Center & Salvation Army. In 2002, the Mayor of the City of Utica proclaimed August 10th, Harold McLeod Day. On May 19, 1979, he married Pearlene (Thompson) with whom he shared 34 years together; four sons and daughter-in-laws, Rodney (Candi) Thompson, of Colorado Springs, CO, Brian Thompson (Amy Scales) of Rome, NY, Darren (Toni) McLeod, of Atlanta, GA and Jeffrey (Shanta Furlow) McLeod, of Utica. He also leaves two brothers, Marron "Butch" (Carol Green) McLeod, Judge James A.W. McLeod, of Buffalo, NY and two sisters, Mary (John) Lacy and Karen McLeod of Utica, 12 grandchildren, a special grandson, Antonio McLeod, with whom he spent many hours together and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. McLeod's funeral services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 1:00 pm St. Paul's Baptist Church, 219 Leah Street, Utica. Calling hours are from 11:00 am until the 1:00 pm funeral service. Interment at Forest Hill Cemetery with military honors. Arrangements by T.Revels-Gibson Funeral Service.