Obituary: Leonard Basden
Leonard Basden
March 27, 1937 – November 2, 2024
Dover- Leonard Basden, 87, of Dover, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern, NC with his wife by his bedside. He was the best husband and father that anyone could have known. Their 55th wedding anniversary would have been November 15, 2024.
His parents, James Nelson and Mary Belle Burroughs Basden of Jones County, NC preceded him in death. Fatherhood was short-lived with the passing of his precious sons, Leo Basden and Matthew Leonard Basden.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and three siblings, Nancy Williams, James Basden, and Rose Clark. Among the many nieces and nephews is Diane Jones (Lynn) whose love and support has meant so much.
In 1985, Leonard and Sandra started their company, Leonard’s Truck and Trailer Repair, in Leland, NC. Many business friendships continued after retirement in 2000.
Leonard was very proud of his membership in several fraternal organizations in Wilmington, NC. He was Past Patron of Cape Fear Chapter No. 346, Order of Eastern Star for term 1982 – 1983. He was Past Master (1983) of Orient Lodge No. 395 A.F. and A.M. He was a 50-plus year member of these organizations as well as Scottish Rite Valley in Wilmington, NC, and Sudan Shriners in New Bern, NC. He was a longtime volunteer for the annual Shriners Fish Fry events in Wilmington, Kinston, Havelock, and New Bern, NC until his health issues.
Leonard was blessed with a very caring physician, Dr. Michael Reardon, and nurse, Nicole, with Carolina East Physicians in Cape Carteret, NC. They are truly an asset to the medical profession. We will always be grateful for the many years of care they provided
There are no words that can express our sincere appreciation for the compassion and support shown by Zeb West, Tonda West, Vanessa West, Willard Watson, Shirley Watson, and Dewey Daugherty. Each of them has been available no matter the time of day or circumstances.
Per Leonard’s request, no formal service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity. The following benefit children: Shriners Children Hospital, Greenville, SC; St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; and Masonic Home for Children, Oxford, NC.
Services provided by Howard-Carter Funeral Home, Kinston.
