Robert Adrian Leon, age 40, of 364 Leon Homestead Road, Boone, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at his residence.

Robert moved to the High Country about 16 years ago after falling in love with the area while hiking the Appalachian Trail. While here, he earned his RN, and worked in the Cardiac Cath Lab at Watauga Medical Center.

Robert loved hiking and camping, especially with his son, Jackson; fixing up the home he built; reading and just "chillin'." He touched everyone who knew him from close friends and family to the patients he cared for at the hospital.

He is survived by one son, Jackson Brawley-Leon of Boone; his father, Orlando Leon of Miami, Florida; mother, Barbara Leon of Boone, one sister, Annie Leon-Puig and husband Danny of Miami, Florida; one brother, Orlando R. Leon and wife Tonya of Boone; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved dog, Jasmine.

A memorial service will be Saturday afternoon, February 1, 2020, at 4:00 o'clock, at Boone Universalist Unitarian Fellowship. Rev. Tommy Brown (former Presbyterian minister & friend of Rob) is coming in from Montreat to officiate.

Afterwards we are having a celebration which Rob would have liked -  at the Clubhouse  of my condo, Kensington Gate, 140 Gateway Drive, Boone. There is parking there and also in the adjacent AppState State Farm lot.

A few important notes for those planning to attend the service on Saturday: We expect parking to be very tight, and would like to reserve it for Robert's family if possible. To this end, we are are organizing a carpool/shuttle service from the New Market parking lot beginning at 3:30 on Saturday. Please plan on arriving early and parking in the Southeast corner of the New Market lot (where the SECU ATM used to be); we'll have at least 2 cars to shuttle people to the Fellowship between 3:30 and 3:50, and then back to New Market after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Watauga Humane Society or the Hospitality House.

Online condolences may be sent to the Leon family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.