All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Gary Wayne Leigh

Gary Wayne Leigh, 75 of Buckhannon, went to his Heavenly Home on June 14, 2023.

Born on June 26, 1947, in Buckhannon, Gary was the son of the late Rollive and Luvene Wingfield Leigh. A lifelong resident of Buckhannon, Gary was a devoted member of the Tallmansville Baptist Church, where he found solace in the words of scripture.

Gary graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1966 and proudly served in the United States Air Force until 1969. He later worked in various positions in both the oilfield and construction industry before retiring as a Line Cleaner where he operated a fork lift for Weyerhaeuser.

On February 27, 1972, Gary married his beloved wife, Cora Virginia Pancake Butler Leigh, and together they raised a loving family. Gary had a passion for digging for ginseng, hunting, especially groundhogs, and reading books about westerns, mysteries, and religion. He was known for his infectious smile and quick wit, always ready with a joke to tell. Above all, Gary cherished his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he referred to as “God’s precious little miracles.”

Gary is survived by his wife, Cora Leigh; three children: John Butler and wife, Judy, Rodney Butler and wife, Devona, and David Butler and wife, Lori; seven grandchildren: Amber Workman, Sheena Heaver and husband, Jeremy, Jackie Sias, David Butler II and wife, Juliette, Dallas Butler, Cody Stephenson, and Kyle Stephenson; ten great-grandchildren: Hunter, Miles, Lilian, Isaiah, Chloe, Mikenzy, Emma Lou, Jack, Beau, and Blakelee; five siblings: Bill Leigh and wife, Liz, Tim Leigh and wife, Tracey, Terry Leigh and wife, Brenda, Mark Leigh and wife, Bekki, Roberta Dezarn and husband, Jon; one sister-in-law, Kathy Leigh; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rollive and Luvene Leigh; one grandson, Rodney Jr.; and one brother, David Leigh.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation Clutter Funeral and Cremation located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Funeral Services will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in the Clutter Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tim Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Upshur County Memorial Park in Buckhannon with full military honors accorded by the Upshur County Honor Guard.

We, at Clutter Funeral and Cremation, appreciate the service of Gary Wayne Leigh and it has been our honor and privilege to serve his family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ClutterFuneralHome.com.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Lentz looking to build confidence with young Lady Buc basketball team in 2025-26 season

Buckhannon-Upshur coach Alicia Lentz says her inexperienced, 12-player Lady Buc roster must build confidence and develop quickly through a tough nonconference and Big 10 schedule if they hope for success in 2025-26.

Westfall has team-high 21 points but Wesleyan loses high scoring affair to Frostburg State, 109-95

Despite a 21-point effort from Jaden Westfall and strong contributions from Isaiah Baker and Stephen Ovia, West Virginia Wesleyan fell 109-95 to Frostburg State as the visitors’ hot perimeter shooting and turnovers decided the game.

Wesleyan women cruise past Frostburg State in home opener, 89-58

West Virginia Wesleyan overwhelmed Frostburg State 89–58 in the home opener, paced by Ana Young’s 25 points, Emma Witt’s 17 and a season-high 27 assists as the Lady Bobcats dominated the second half.

Appalachian Impact working to open interactive children’s activity space on Main Street in Buckhannon

Appalachian Impact plans to open an interactive children’s museum and community hub on Main Street, featuring hands-on exhibits for older kids, a toddler area and sponsor-supported play booths. A late-spring launch is planned pending grants, with field trips and a meeting space for local groups.

New catio will let Lewis-Upshur shelter cats stretch out in the sun

A donor funded materials and the county maintenance department is building an indoor and outdoor catio for Lewis-Upshur Animal Control facility, giving long-term cats space to stretch their legs.

Central West Virginia Republican Women honor community leaders at annual meeting

Central West Virginia Republican Women honored outgoing president LeVera Gillum and community leaders at their annual meeting, presented awards to Man, Woman and Volunteers of the Year, celebrated the club’s service and elected new officers for 2026–2027.

Gregory Allen Replogle

Gregory Allen Replogle, 68, of Buckhannon, WV, a retired oil and gas well tender and longtime Church of Christ member, died December 2, 2025, and is survived by his wife Patricia, children, grandchildren, siblings, and other relatives.

Basketball Lady Bucs fall on the road to G-W in 2025-26 debut

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs opened the 2025-26 season with a tough 80-19 nonconference loss at George Washington, committing 44 turnovers while Emma Pingley led BU with seven points.

Local Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lisa Cain attends Barron’s Advisor Women Summit

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lisa Cain is attending the Dec. 3-5, 2025, Barron’s Advisor Women Summit in Palm Beach, Fla., where 700 women advisors will share insights on AI, purpose-driven investing, taxes and networking.

James Homer Kelley, Jr.

James Homer Kelley Jr., 82, a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and Buckhannon native who enjoyed bowling, died December 1, 2025, and is survived by his two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Criminal complaint reveals new details about Hitt’s alleged home confinement violation

A new criminal complaint says a man already on GPS home confinement for threats involving an elementary school is now charged with misdemeanor obstructing after allegedly setting his devices to auto-delete their internet history and creating a TikTok he couldn’t let officers access.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: December 4, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on December 4, 2025, with an agenda posted by My Buckhannon outlining items to be discussed.