Augusta attorney Leonard O. “Pete” Fletcher Jr., 77, who provided legal counsel to the Richmond County Board of Education for five decades, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Fletcher began his law career in Augusta after graduating with honors from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1969. Within a few years, his expertise with constitutional law earned him a legal position with the local school board when a federal judge ordered the desegregation of Richmond County schools in 1972.
Fletcher stayed to help the school system meet the judge’s order and for all other legal advice for 50 years. A statement from the Richmond County Board of Education reads in part: “Mr. Fletcher has been a source of expertise and wisdom, giving sound guidance and service as a trusted advisor to many Richmond County Board of Education trustees and superintendents. Mr. Fletcher has been instrumental in making sure that our actions and decisions are always in the best interest of the children of Richmond County.”
Columbia County Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. remembered Fletcher’s incredible intelligence and memory. Fletcher was the dean of school board attorneys, said Blanchard who served as the attorney for the Columbia County Board of Education before his appointment to the bench. Fletcher was the one who other school board attorneys consulted, Blanchard said.
Fletcher could recall facts within 30 seconds that Blanchard said would take him four hours to discover.
“He was amazing. His memory was so good; he would recall things he had read years ago,” he said.
Although he didn’t became the attorney for the Columbia County Board of Education until 2007, Fletcher served as an advisor for the school system since 1989. The school system’s statement reads in part: “Mr. Fletcher has served the Columbia County School District in the capacity of legal counsel since 1989, offering wisdom and guidance for our students and staff. His dedication and service to public education has made a positive and lasting impact that we will not soon forget.”
Fletcher’s intelligence was impressive, but another aspect of his character also inspired his friend and former law partner Tom Harley.
“Pete was a unifier. He could bring people together on the issues.” Fletcher was a close friend for 45 years.
In all that time they never exchanged a cross word, Harley said. “Sometimes I’d run hot, but Pete could always defuse me.”
“He was the best school board attorney I’ve ever known, and I’ve known a few,” Harley said.
Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Daniel J. Craig said Fletcher was already practicing in a prestigious law firm by the time he started his career. He is thankful for the time and patience Fletcher gave him.
“He was deservedly trusted for his integrity, intelligence and ability to plan long term. His firm and his family have been exceedingly dedicated and loyal to Augusta. This is a loss that we will not quickly recover from,” Craig said.
Fletcher graduated from the Academy of Richmond County. He was inducted into the ARC Hall of Fame in 2018-2019. Fletcher earned his undergraduate degree from Mercer University before going on to earn his law degree, according to the Hall of Fame profile.
In addition to providing legal guidance for Richmond County’s school system, Fletcher had served as the attorney for the Columbia County Board of Education since 2007. He also served as an adjunct professor at Augusta University.
Fletcher is survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
