E. "Randy" Randolph Leach

Edwin Randolph (Randy) Leach, Esq.

11/27/56 – 1/12/25

Randy Leach was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 27, 1956, to Bill and Jimmie Ruth Leach. He grew up in Charlotte N.C. and Forest City N.C., and attended Hampden-Sydney College, majored in History and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. After college, he attended law school at the College of William & Mary and graduated in May of 1982.

Randy accepted a position as a Public Defender with the City of Roanoke in the fall of 1982. In 1985, he accepted a position with Roanoke County’s Commonwealth Attorney’s office. He later became the Chief Assistant Commonwealth Attorney and was elected as the Commonwealth Attorney in November of 2002. He remained in office until his retirement in January of 2019.

Randy loved his work and loved the people he worked with. He enjoyed the lifelong friends he made in Roanoke, especially the members of the Penguin Club, the regulars who joined him at Mac & Bob’s and Wildwood Smokehouse. He loved to spoil his nieces and nephews who called him “Crazy Uncle Randy”, and yet were always ready to accept the quarters he handed out so they could play pinball at Mac & Bob’s. Randy had a soft heart and at times a hard head, but he loved deeply. Now, he has been released from his pain and is at rest.

Randy is proceeded in death by his parents, Bill and Jimmie Ruth Leach. He leaves behind his older brother, Ken Leach and nieces, Leslie Wall (Chad), Lisa Yancy and Eden Gauss (Jai); younger brother, Keith Leach (Janis) and nephews, Michael, (Meghan) and Casey.

The family will welcome friends to visit on Monday, February 2, 2025, in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem, beginning at 2:30 p.m. A Service of Remembrance will begin at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Carl Utley, General Presbyter of the Peaks Presbytery, officiating.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.