Harold Eugene McLeod, 86, of Arcadia, made his journey to Heaven on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 in Arcadia. He was born September 19, 1926 in Clearwater, FL.

Harold graduated from the University of Florida in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. He was a lifelong University of Florida Gator fan who enjoyed watching or listening to anything "Gator" on television or radio. After graduation Harold worked and managed several cattle ranches around South Florida and was a calf roper. Mr. McLeod moved his family to Arcadia in 1971. He was owner of Hutson-McLeod Steel Buildings, Inc. He was a member of Pine Level United Methodist Church, sang in the choir, was an avid woodworker and enjoyed creating bowls and trivets. He also loved going to his grandsons' baseball games.

Harold was a very active member of the De Soto County Historical Society and in 2005 suggested that they have a "Pioneer Day" festival. The Society held the first one on April 12, 2005 at the Tree of Knowledge Park. The event featured demonstrations of old-time skills and crafts, musical entertainment and storytelling, Florida authors and historical displays. In 2007, it was moved to a larger venue—Mc Swain Park, adjacent to the De Soto County Courthouse. In 2010 the festival was moved to its current location at De Soto Veterans Park on State Road 70 west of Arcadia. That same year and every subsequent year, Pioneer Days has been an official Florida Heritage Month event. Harold designed the Howard and Velma Melton Historical Library that is housed in the John Morgan Ingraham Seed House and was present every day until construction was complete. He was also a member of the Crowley Museum and Nature Center in Old Myakka and was instrumental in helping to preserve his Crowley Family's rich pioneer history.



Mr. McLeod is survived by his former wife Jewel McLeod of Arcadia; daughter Cynthia "Cindy" McLeod Ely of Arcadia; son, James E. "Sam" McLeod of Sarasota; daughter, Alice McLeod Ames of Arcadia; three grandsons, Steven Ames of Arcadia, Spencer Ely of Boca Raton, and Colton Ely of Ft. Myers; one sister, Mary Nell Morriss of Austell, GA; sisters-in-law, Jean McLeod of Riverview and Karen Sieg (Bill) of Deltona; brother-in-law, Charles Hopper (Patsy) of Ft. Myers; and cousins, Virginia "Genia" Reed and Sonny Camacho, both of Cape Coral. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Claire, brothers, James and Hugh, and brother-in-law, Freddy.


Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Pine Level United Methodist Church. A private burial will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the landscaping fund for the John Morgan Ingraham House in care of De Soto County Historical Society, PO Box 1824, Arcadia, FL 34265 or the Arcadia Tidewell Hospice House, 919 N. Arcadia Ave., Arcadia, FL 34266.