Ora Leonard Leake, Jr.

Ora Leonard Leake, Jr., known to his friends and family as Leonard, passed from this life on May 25, 2023 at the age of 92. He passed peacefully one day after his 70th wedding anniversary, after enjoying his traditional strawberry milkshake with his beloved wife.

Leonard was born on August 15, 1930, in Cleveland, Oklahoma, the son of Ora Leonard, Sr. and Vada Marie (Brisbin) Leake. Leonard grew up and attended school in Cleveland graduating with the Class of 1948, where he was a member of the high school where he played the trombone. Leonard attended Ozark Bible College in Joplin, Missouri, where he was a member of the basketball team and was a founding member of The Kingsmen Quartet. While attending OBC during a church function, Leonard met Ramona Lee Earnest. They were later united in marriage on May 24, 1953, in Humansville, Missouri, establishing their initial home in Joplin. In 1955, Leonard graduated from OBC with a bachelor's degree in ministry. During his 70 years of preaching Leonard served in Missouri, Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In 2009, Leonard and Ramona returned to Cleveland where they have continued to reside.

Leonard loved spreading the word of God through preaching, music, and talking. He never met a stranger. From 1961 to 1971, he was the camp manager of Hidden Haven Christan Service Camp in Thayer, Kansas in addition to being a full time minister. Through the years, he was privileged to have officiated numerous weddings, including for his children and grandchildren. For a few summers, Leonard and Ramona worked side by side in Yellowstone National Park in the Old Faithful area. During that time, he led church services and devotionals in the park. The couple also took many trips and vacations traveling throughout the United States. Leonard was the bass singer with The Kingsmen Quartet for 50 years. They performed their last concert in 2003 in Owasso, Oklahoma. Quartet Concert Offerings were donated to the Ozark Bible College Alumni fund.

This beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother leaves behind his wife Ramona; daughter Kathy Sizemore and her husband Jerry of Cleveland, Oklahoma; son Larry Leake and his wife Diana of Douglas, Wyoming; son Dean Leake and wife Holly of North Ogden, Utah; son David Leake of Worland, Wyoming; brother Corky Leake and his wife Pat of Cleveland, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law Wanda Leake of Lake Charles, Louisiana; fourteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Leonard was preceded in death by his brother William E. Leake; his oldest son, Gary Leake; and two grandsons, Jacob and Joshua.

Services will be held 10:30 am, Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the First Christian Church with David Logsdon officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery. Family has requested memorial donations be made in honor of Leonard to the Ozark Christian College Alumni Association. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Leonard at www.chapman-black.com

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