He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 achieving the rank of first lieutenant.

He coached football and track at Henderson High School from 1957 to 1959. Business salesman, 1959.

He served as special assistant to United States Representative William R. Poage from 1972 to 1974.

Leath was known as one of the founders of the "Boll Weevils," a group of conservative Southern Democrats who allied with Republican President Ronald Reagan on budgetary and fiscal issues.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress