Leonard

1939-2023

On September 29, 1939, a son was born, James Homer Leonard in Grapeland, Texas. James was the second son of Lawyer and Homazel Leonard. James had only one sibling, Lloyd Julius Leonard. James' father, mother, and brother preceded him in death.
At an early age, James accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Mt. Corinth Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor E. V. Hill. After the passing of Pastor Hill, James continued his membership with the new leadership of Pastor Alan Louis Patterson. James served on the Financial Committee, led the Prayer Warriors Soul Action Team (SWAT), and sung in the male choir. After over 60 years of service at Corinth James moved his membership to Good Shepherd Baptist Church under the Leadership of Pastor Lee Skinner.  Pastor Skinner Ordained James as a Deacon of the Church assigned him to the Financial Committee and placed him over one of the Carousel Group of the Church. The Carousel Group was his highlight of love for this group and allowed him to communicate with a group within the church. Everyone knew James loved to talk and chat.

James Education began with Atherton Elementary School, continued to E. O. Smith Middle School and he graduated from Phillis Wheatley
High School. His education did not stop there, he went on to graduate from Hampton University and then received his master's degree from Howard University. James was a hard worker at the age of 14 he started his working career as a paper boy. James joined The United States Army as an Officer. James participated in the ROTC Program all during his high school and college years, which entitled him to advancement at the time of his enlistment into the Army. James received two Bronze Stars, a US military decoration award for heroic achievement, along with other medals and badges. James achieved the rank of Major during his tenure with the Army. James was a faithful army man until his death. After retiring from the Army James retired from the US Post Office.  Between retirements, James worked as a teacher at a junior college in El Paso, Texas, and Dallas, Texas, and as a salesman for Leonard's Chrysler Dealership owned by his brother. James returned to Houston to take care of his mother and became a civic worker, working on the North Forest School Board as a Trustee, serving as the Vice-President of the civic club in the Settegast neighborhood, and co-founder of the Northeast Houston Chambers of Commerce.

James went to be with the Lord on June 28, 2023. He leaves to cherish in his memories a loving and devoted wife, Mary Evelyn Leonard, daughters Michaele Simmons (Richard) and Nicole Leonard of Washington, D.C, and grand-daughter Ariel Simmons of Baltimore Maryland, Nicole Leonard of Washington, D.C., niece Monica Williams (Peter) of Detroit, Michigan, grand-nephew Michael Lloyd Williams of Detroit, Michigan; nephew Lloyd Leonard, Jr. of Detroit, Michigan; step-children Deidre Morrison(Lonnie), Charlie Smith(Unique); step-grandchildren Kirston Merriweather (Arbre), Rachael Newsome (Fredrick), Zurie Smith, and Zoe Smith; play children Lloyd & Sharon Wade, Debora Moore, and Judy Craig.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, starting with a 10:00 am viewing followed by an 11:00 am Funeral. Both services will be held at Good Shepherd  Baptist Church, 7818 Bonaire St, Houston Texas 77028.

Rev. Lee Skinner, Pastor;  Officiating