John "Jack" C. Leite

Dr. John C. “Jack” Leite, a long-time resident of Westerville, Ohio and member of St. Paul Catholic Church, went to be with the Lord on December 28,2023 at the age of 89. Jack was born on May 20, 1934 in Fremont, Ohio and was a 1952 graduate of Fremont St. Joseph High School. He moved to the Columbus, Ohio area to attend The Ohio State University, graduating in 1967 from the College of Veterinary Medicine. He worked as a veterinarian at various animal clinics in the Columbus area before opening his own clinic in Westerville in 1980. He was also a thirty-one year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving four years of active duty and then twenty-seven years in the Marine Reserves, retiring at the rank of Colonel.

Jack provided support and service to all around him be they family, friends, the thousands of clients of his veterinary practice, or his fellow Marines. Jack was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially when his kids and grandkids were younger. During his lifetime he was also an avid hunter, fisherman, and later in life a boater on Lake Erie.

He is survived by three of his children; Randall (Theresa) Leite of Hilliard, Ohio, Michael (Tamara) Leite of Groveport, Ohio, and Michelle Leite of New Albany, Ohio; and grandchildren Matthew (Erin) Leite, Caitlyn (Christoph) Leite, John (Michaela) Leite, Gabriella Leite, Traehnel (Jon) Nixon, and Kyndra (Marquez Moore) Leite. He also has five great grandchildren: Kaylee,Trenton, Ella, Silas, and Elaina; as well as special friend, Peggy Munzer. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Marie (Dolweck) Leite, six brothers and sisters, wife Joann (Payne) Leite, son James (Karen) Leite; and grandchildren Jennifer (Rami) Abdulhafeez and Edward Leite.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 9:00am until 10:15am at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 N. State Street, Westerville, OH 43082, with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 10:30am. Services will conclude with interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Lewis Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation (www.toysfortots.org).