03/22/2026
Austin James Leatherman was born on September 14, 2007 in Waynesboro, PA and his first home was in Smithsburg, MD. We moved to the home that we still occupy in January 2009. Austin was always driven to service. Whether it was helping in daycare, playing dress-up with the girls so they would play police with him or always standing up for someone that couldn’t for themselves, he was always about helping and cooperation.
Austin got to do many activities in his short lifetime and visited so many places. It was important to his step-father and I that we shared as much history, knowledge and fun as possible. Austin was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for a year in which time he was able to take four flights, to include taking off, flying and landing the plane – all at the age of 12. When COVID hit and the activities were downsized, Austin turned his interest to what he had always wanted to do – the fire department.
Austin became a Junior Firefighter and soon became the Captain of the Junior Firefighters. Austin had an amazing skill in leadership and speaking up for what was right and wrong. He was not afraid to share what he felt and used that quality to stand up for his fellow classmates and firefighters. Austin became a probationary firefighter shortly before his untimely death.
It was always Austin’s dream that everyone get along and become a stronger community. He worked hard in the areas of this dream that he could control. He stood up for anyone that was getting bullied from the time he was young and spent considerable time on how to achieve this mission.
Austin was a member of the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company, Maugansville Volunteer Fire Department and Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department. His commitment to service was known throughout multiple communities and he never backed down from a challenge. He was the first to volunteer to help and the last to leave once ensuring all tasks were complete.
I could not be more honored to have been his mother, even for the short time that I was allowed to keep him. A key takeaway from Austin’s short life is that we never know what is going on in someone else’s mind. Taking care of our own mental health and understanding warning signs is so important to take the first steps yourself to ensure that you are well balanced in all areas of your life.
