Rev. Leslie Gordon Metcalf
The Rev. Leslie Gordon Metcalf, 80, died June 10, 2017, at Gilchrest Hospice Care in Towson. A private graveside service was held June 19.
Leslie Metcalf was the youngest of nine children born to William and Norma (nee Bruce) Metcalf July 18, 1936. He grew up in Baltimore City and attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore Junior College and Johns Hopkins University. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, and later his Doctor’s Degree in Theology.
Metcalf served as a mechanic on jets in the United States Marine Corps and Marine Reserve from 1957-1963.
He started his ministry in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, which merged with the Methodist Church to become The United Methodist Church in 1968. His pastorates included St. Matthews UMC in Baltimore,1964-1975; St. Luke's UMC in Woodlawn,1975-1986; Parkside UMC, Trinity UMC in Catonsville, and Pasadena UMC, where he retired the first time. In retirement, he went to Eastport UMC and retired again, then served at Rockland UMC and Melville Chapel UMC, which turned out to be for another seven years. Wherever he served, he was always very active in the church, the community and with the youth.
He was chaplain at Baltimore area hospitals and served on many church related boards including at the Conference level. He was chairman of the Community Relations Task Force under Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro's Crime Commission, 1968-1972, and was appointed as a representative to Governor Mandel's Planning Commission.
He developed and taught a special speech and communication course for the Baltimore City Police Department, taught at Essex Community College, taught college level courses in psychology at Jessup prison and the Community College of Baltimore.
For his community service, he received more than 30 citations.
He was also an active Mason, where he served as Chaplain in his early years, which began in 1966. This grew into service as Grand Chaplain for the Grand Lodge of Maryland and in several other Mason orders, passing on to his sons the love of Masonry.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Katherine (nee Wolf), his sons William A. Metcalf and Leslie Metcalf Jr., daughters Karen Metcalf and Donna Metcalf. He also leaves three grandchildren and one great grandson.