Leonard Jay Luoma
Leonard Jay Luoma, 87, of French Creek, West Virginia, died Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He was in his usual health and death was unexpected.
Leonard was born on Feb. 5, 1939, in Warren, Ohio to the late Leo Jacob and Helen Jean Cole Luoma. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son.
Surviving is his daughter, AmberKay (David) Klingensmith of French Creek, West Virginia; and his brother Paul Eugene (Rhea) Luoma of Fowler, Ohio. Also surviving are three step-grandchildren, Dave (Angela) Klingensmith, Sheri (Mike) Evans and Christina Klingensmith; and seven great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Avery Ross, Madalyn and Emma Klingensmith, Samuel, Caleb and Merrick Evans; three special nephews, Roger (Luz Beltrain) Luoma, Mark (Catherine) Luoma and Brian (Cori) Luoma; three great-nephews, and a great-niece. Also, his companion of 20 years, Wanda Stephenson.
In 1957, he graduated from Fowler High School. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he shot on the competition pistol team.
His great passion was being in the outdoors and antiques. He was an avid hunter, fishermen, trapper, turtle noodler, arrowhead hunter and medicinal root digger. He loved the old ways and was very knowledgeable in them. He had owned a fur shed and spent many years buying and selling raw furs. He was a member of the Ohio State Trappers Association and would put on trapping clinics to teach the next generation. He loved collecting and selling antiques.
A carpenter by trade, he was a member of the Ohio Carpenters Warren Local 1438, and retired from the West Virginia Carpenters Local 436. As a member of the Cortland Masonic Lodge, he received his 50 year pin.
Friends and family will be received Tuesday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lane Funeral Homes Shafer-Winans Chapel in Cortland, Ohio. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. the funeral home with Pastor David Pykare officiating. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna, Ohio. The Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery.
Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneral homes.com.