James Fredrick Leonard

James Fredrick Leonard, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes in his home on September 20, 2022, at the age of 83.  Jim was married to the love of his life, Linda Dyan (Eubank) Leonard, for 60 years.  Their union was blessed with two children and two granddaughters, all of whom he treasured and adored and was immensely proud of.

Jim was born on June 26, 1939, in Iola, Kansas.  He grew up in Humboldt, Kansas, where he attended Humboldt High School, Class of 1957.  He always looked forward to Humboldt High reunions and attended as many as he could.    Jim graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961.  He was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity, where he made many treasured lifelong friends who brought much fun, love, joy, and support to Jim and his family over many years.

Jim had a successful career in the insurance industry, working for many years with Liberty Mutual and eventually retiring from U.S. Risk.  Jim was promoted to various positions over the years, providing his family with many adventures as they moved from Kansas City to St. Louis, Chicago, Springfield, and Oklahoma City before finally putting down more permanent roots in Dallas, Texas.  After retiring, Jim and Linda spent 20 plus years in Holly Lake Ranch, Texas.  At each stop along the way, they made many fond memories and lasting friendships.  They moved from “The Ranch” to Shawnee, Kansas in the summer of 2021.

Jim was an avid KU fan and loved everything Jayhawk!  He travelled and attended many KU football and basketball games with his fraternity brothers and was thrilled to see the Hawks win their most recent championship in 2022.

Jim also loved to care for and feed all of “his” animals – not just the cats and dogs, but also wild birds, squirrels, racoons, a feral cat that he fed for over 15 years (appropriately named “Feral”) and, most recently, two baby turtle doves that had fallen from their nest in his front yard.  Jim’s tender and caring heart extended to us humans as well.  He spent the last several years caring for and doting over his beloved wife as she experienced the onset of increasing dementia.

Jim never met a stranger.  He was a master of connecting with others through lively conversation, witty comments, tall tales, and friendly smiles.  Jim was a true uplifter.  He touched many lives and brightened the day of everyone around him, often singing or whistling a funny tune.  Jim was also known to be the life of a party and would encourage us all to have a “final, final” beer in his name.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert S. Leonard and Ruth K. (Cook) Leonard.   He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Dyan (Eubank) Leonard of the home; two children, Dyan Leonard (Vic Gamez) of Irving, Texas and Jim Leonard (Angela Gupta) of Lake Quivira. Kansas; and two grandchildren, Sophia Leonard and Anna Leonard of Lake Quivira.

A Celebration of Life reception will be held on Saturday, October 8, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Quivira Country Club, Lake Quivira, Kansas.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, October 9, at 1:00 p.m. at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Humboldt, Kansas, with a luncheon following at the Humboldt Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 806 N. 9th St., Humboldt, KS 66748.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Jim to the Holly Community Library, c/o Donna Haley, 734 Peaceful Woods Trail, Holly Lake Ranch, Texas 75765, where he was a loyal patron.