Toby Leamon Obituary – Homewood, AL | The Birmingham News
January 4, 1952-March 30, 2015 Toby Leamon, of Homewood, Alabama, was born on January 4, 1952. He went to be with his Lord on March 30, 2015 following a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Lowell Leamon Sr. and his mother, Eva G. Leamon of Birmingham, and his brother, Charles Lowell Leamon, Jr. of Sebring, Florida. He is survived by his loving and cherished wife of 21 years, Krista Manners Leamon, a step-son, Christopher Michael Lantrip (Andie May), of Montgomery, two step-grandchildren, Emily June Lantrip and Emery Jackson Lantrip, his sister, Donna Lynn Leamon, of Spokane, Washington and a brother, Joseph Lee Leamon, of Homewood, Alabama.
Toby was born in Birmingham and attended Phillips High School. During his senior year, in 1970, he suffered the first of several life challenges when he became a paraplegic as a result of an automobile accident the day after his 18th birthday. In 1980 he experienced yet another tragedy with the death of both of his parents in yet another automobile accident. In spite of these challenges, Toby entered college at UAB in 1971, later transferring to the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering as the first engineering graduate who was a wheelchair user. While at the University, he pursued his love of literature and also took extensive classes in English and poetry writing.
He was proud to have been, in 1974, among the founders of The Black Warrior Review, the literary magazine of the University, which has become one of the most respected literary magazines in the country. After returning to Birmingham to work at Southern Company Services he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English Literature at UAB. He returned later to UAB to work toward a graduate degree in civil engineering in his later years.
Following graduation from the University, Toby worked 32 years for Southern Company as a licensed professional civil/structural engineer before taking early retirement in 2007. During this time his work involved analyzing and ensuring the safety of hydroelectric dams and, later, the design of structural steel and reinforced concrete foundations for environmental upgrades to fossil-fueled plants.
He was active in his church and community and served over the years on several boards of directors, including that of Ms. Wheelchair Alabama, the Parkside of Homewood Homeowners’ Association and the One Seagrove Place Homeowners’ Association, in Seagrove Beach, Florida. Toby had eclectic interests. He loved film, music and literature; especially modern poetry and jazz and the works of Southern writers.
He and his beloved wife, Krista, enjoyed travel and attended many sports car and Formula 1 races over their years together. For several years they also enjoyed many peaceful days together at their retreat in Seagrove Beach. In recent years they both became interested in researching their ancestry and both took many trips in their research. Toby was active in spite of his disability and was in the past a sailor and a scuba diver logging almost 100 dives. He earned his Black Belt in U.S. Yoshukai Karate, where he won a number of trophies in competition with able-bodied competitors. He also had the opportunity to fly WWII warbirds on several occasions.
The happiest day of Toby’s life was the day he met the love of his life, his wife, Krista. They shared many magical years together, which were unfortunately cut too short. Next to his God, he left this life with her love and the love and support of many friends and family, which buoyed him in the end. He leaves his immense love for them and will await their coming into eternity.
The family will receive friends at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, Alabama, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, April 6. A celebration of Toby’s life and Holy Eucharist will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 3207 Montevallo Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama, beginning at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 7. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Toby’s memory to the Julia Pointer CNA Program, P.O Box 110696, Birmingham, AL 35211; or the Brother Bryan Mission of Birmingham, P.O. Box 11254, Birmingham, AL 35202.