Douglas Alan Leach

Douglas Alan Leach, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, passed away on March 2, 2025 with his family by his side. He was born to John and Shirley Leach in Maroa, Illinois on October 10, 1954.

When Doug was six years old, his family moved to Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Wichita Southeast High School in 1972. Doug was a hard worker his whole life. He always talked about mowing neighbors’ lawns, working at Norris Drug where he was the delivery boy, and working at Havener’s Menswear where he was a sales associate and learned to be an expert gift wrapper, which he was quite proud of!

Doug graduated from Wichita State University in 1976, with a business degree. While there, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Doug had a successful and rewarding 44-year career in the oil & gas industry where he made countless lifelong friends. He began his career with Koch Industries in 1976 in Wichita, Kansas. He worked in Gloucester City, New Jersey, Long Beach, California, and Houston, Texas with Koch. He started with Enron in 1989 and stayed through the end in 2002. Serving as Vice President of Enron Liquid Fuels and Enron Global Markets, he traveled the world working on many projects. Doug joined Kinder Morgan in 2002 and was there until he retired in 2017. He served as Vice President, Business Development – Kinder Morgan Terminals. He was a mentor to many in the industry and still kept up with everyone until his passing. After retiring from Kinder Morgan, Doug formed DL Resources and consulted until 2020, when he fully retired. Doug loved retirement, and we are so glad he got to enjoy it after so many years of hard work.

Doug had many hobbies. He was an avid golfer for many years; he loved playing with friends and colleagues at courses in Houston and around the country. He enjoyed being involved in the Memorial Park Golf Course renovation in 1995. He also enjoyed bird hunting. He took many trips to South Texas, South Dakota, Kansas, and Mexico. He always looked forward to his annual trip to Joshua Creek with his “hunting group”. Doug also loved grilling. How fitting that his last meal at home was his favorite meal, grilled quail! He also loved red wine. He enjoyed numerous trips to Napa and was planning his next trip this fall. He was an avid reader, always with a book by his side. If it was a nice day, you could find him sitting on his back patio with a glass of red wine, a book, and smooth jazz playing.

Doug was an active member of the Houston Racquet Club. He loved his 5 am workout group and dining on the deck with friends.

Doug had a gift of connection. He was so good at keeping up with family and friends from all walks of life. He always had multiple lunches scheduled each week, and he was known for handwritten notes and regular texts or phone calls to check in on those that were special to him.

What was most important to Doug was his family. He deeply loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to share how proud he was of everyone, and he was always present. He cherished family trips to Seaside, being in charge of “Doug stuff” for his girls, frequent family dinners, celebrating his daughters’ accomplishments and endeavors, and cheering on his granddaughters at all of their activities.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Shirley Leach and his in-laws Bill and Rosanne Frazier.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Kim; his daughter Alexa Catherine Leach; his daughter Ashley Leach Keliehor and her husband Kye; his granddaughters Lachlan and Hunter Keliehor; his brother Mike Leach (Jane); his brothers-in-law Kyle Frazier (Analisa) and Mark Frazier (Brenda); and his niece and nephews.

Doug was strong. He fought hard this past month after suffering sudden cardiac issues. His life was cut too short, but it was exceedingly full. He had a very strong faith, and we are comforted knowing that he is now at peace in Heaven. He will be deeply missed but will continue to live on in all of our hearts. Always prepared, Doug left us an “In Case of…” letter, and he asked that we keep his obituary “short and sweet” and end with “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened!”

A memorial service will be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 6th of March, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to a reception at the Houston Racquet Club, 10709 Memorial Drive, to celebrate Doug’s life.

Per Doug’s wishes, memorial contributions may be directed to The Kinkaid School, 201 Kinkaid School Drive, Houston, TX 77024 or Houston Methodist Hospital - Department of Spiritual Care, 6565 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030.