L. Martin Harris,

Leon Martin Harris, Jr., 78, of Buchanan, passed away Friday, January 4, 2013 at his home. He was born October 30, 1934 in Richmond, VA, the son of Leon Martin and Linda Kremer Harris. Dr. Harris graduated from Hampden Sydney College in 1956, received his M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia in 1960, and obtained a Master's Degree in Medical Education at the University of Illinois Medical School in Chicago in 1966. He served in the United States Navy from 1961-1963 as a Lieutenant, stationed at the Norfolk Naval Station with one tour of duty on the carrier "Independence". From 1966 to 1983, he served on the faculty of the Psychiatry Department at MCV. Thereafter, he worked in private practice, first in Richmond where he also worked in community and prison mental health, then in Roanoke, until he retired in 2006. Dr. Harris was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Buchanan, VA. In addition to being a dedicated physician, he was an avid reader and enjoyed a number of activities from tennis and swimming to woodworking and traveling. Dr. Harris was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Sandra Johnson Harris; brother, Richard Noel Harris of Richmond; daughters, Sally Harris Jones of Crozet; Amanda Harris Creamer of Winston-Salem, NC; Virginia Harris Hofheimer of Richmond; Gwen Williams (Jim Ed) Spangler of Salem; and Kelsey Williams of Roanoke; grandchildren, Sarah Jones, Elizabeth "Ellie" Jones, James "Jay" Creamer, Mary "Molly" Creamer, Henry Hofheimer, Carter Hofheimer, Claire Spangler, and Russell Spangler. He is also survived by a nephew and two nieces. A Memorial Service will be held 1pm Saturday, January 12, 2013 in the Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Jonathan Harris officiating. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the Memory Disorders Clinic at the University of Virginia, or the donor's choice in his memory. The family would like to thank Karen Bierer, Liz Aaron, Carol Kelly, Sherri Kent, Travis Powell, and the staff of 10S Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for the loving care given to him in his last months. Arrangements by Botetourt Funeral Home, Buchanan. 540-254-3000