Benjamin Leonard's Obituary
Mr. Benjamin Leonard, El numero uno, loving father, devoted husband, favorite grandpa, awe-inspiring karaoke crooner, avid fisherman, dreamer of dreams, inadvertent life coach, trusted confidant and teller of the tallest tales, peacefully left this mortal realm on Tuesday October 22nd in what one can only assume was a premeditated search for otherworldly intelligent conversation.
Born in Speedway Indiana in 1947, he lived his early life on the road traveling across the United States, spending considerable time in Southern California before ultimately settling down in Tampa Bay after one too many cold Midwest winters.
Ben will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 16 years, Katherine Leonard, his daughter Lonna K. Leonard, sons Benjamin Leonard II (Khrista) and Joseph L. Leonard (Jennifer), his grandchildren Sebastian (Ashley), Alex (Dale) Savanah (Ryan) and Ruby, his six great-grandchildren, in addition to his bonus children Christie L. Chambers, Gary L. Hixon (Misti) and Monica S. Hixon, grandchildren Coralee, Anthony, Savannah, Owen, April and Vicki, seventeen great-grandchildren and a host of family, friends and relatives too numerous to list.
Gone too soon, but on his own terms, his legacy will carry on in the many lives he’s touched and the positive impacts he’s made along the way. He had a knack for making friends easily and making all friends feel like his best friend. He rarely minced words and was quick to shut down any tomfoolery. He commanded a room but shunned away the attention. He was an amazing teacher and a witty raconteur. Admired by most, revered by many and loved by all. He offered the perfect unsolicited advice, rooted for the little guy at every opportunity, treated others with respect and dignity, showed compassion to those in need and lived with little regret.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, October 26th 3:00 p.m. at Memorial Park 5750 49th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33709. Repast to follow at The Andy Anderson American Legion Post 125 located at 6440 5th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the American Legion Charities in Ben’s name, at https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Donate and/or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now.
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