J. Richard Leader, Jr. passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Glen at Willow Valley Communities with his devoted and loving wife of 16 years, Audrey Slater, at his side. He was 87 years old.

Dick was born January 9, 1932 in Shamokin, PA to the late J. Richard Leader and the late Ruth Ismay (Gearhart) Leader. He leaves behind his son, J. Richard Leader, III and wife, Maureen, of Lancaster; his daughter, Amy and her husband, Paul Massing, of Plymouth Meeting, PA. There are three grandchildren: Stephanie Rae Leader, Catherine Elise Leader, and Christopher Patrick Massing. Dick also leaves behind step-daughter, Sally Collins of Kirkwood, MO and a brother, Robert Leader, Shamokin. He will also be lovingly missed by dear friends, Dirk and Judy Suereth, Lancaster.

Dick graduated from Shamokin High School, Franklin and Marshall College, and Temple University's Dental School. He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force at Patrick Air Force Base from 1960-1962. Dick's dental practice was located on Estelle Drive in Centerville, and with his easy personality, dry sense of humor and jokes, he made even a dentist appointment pleasant. On his days off he enjoyed many, many rounds of golf at Lancaster Country Club with his best friend, Robert Gates. Sometimes Bob's wife, Nancy, along with Audrey, would join the two to round out a foursome.

After retirement in 2003, Dick and Audrey moved to Dunnellon, FL, enjoying more golf with new friends at the Rainbow Springs Country Club and the Juliet Falls Country Club. The couple moved back to Lancaster to Willow Valley Communities in 2017.

The Leader family wishes to thank Lancaster General Hospital, Hospice and Community Care of Lancaster, and the team members of Willow Valley Communities for their extraordinary care of Dick. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.