John Arnold Leonard Jr.

On April 7, 2022, John A. Leonard, Jr. 85 of Tallmadge, OH passed away peacefully at Akron City Hospital. He was born on January 26, 1937, in Tallassee, AL to his parents, John A. Leonard, Sr., and Zell Christian. He’s survived by his wife of 61 ½ years, Katie R. Leonard (White) also of Tallmadge, OH, children Laureen Akili, Akron, OH, Jason Leonard (Christi), Canal Winchester, OH, Kamla Rauschenberger (Ryan), Mogadore, OH, Justin Leonard (Karen), Brampton, ON, Canada, and Kandice Leonard, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, siblings Mable Underwood, Ruth Thomas (Bobby), Betty Williams (Chuck), and Mary Goodlett. He was preceded in death by both parents, step-mother Narcissus Leonard, step-father Frank Christian, and younger brother David Leonard, all from Akron, OH.

John graduated high school from Central Hower, Akron, OH where he played basketball, baseball, and football and was known as “Night Train” among his teammates. He continued his education at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX where he also played football and basketball. His vocational training in auto mechanics and love for working on cars prompted him to return to Akron, OH to open a Shell Five Points service station on E. Exchange St. He owned and operated this service station for 25 years before closing it to work at Auto Zone in Akron, OH for over 15 years. He was a member of the Kent Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His love for people and wanting to help at all costs reflected the God he served faithfully for 47 years.

He was a diehard Cleveland Browns fan and also loved the Indians and Cavaliers. He loved helping those who were in need and was a friend to all who knew him and even to those who were strangers. He was an avid fisherman and spent lots of time on Lake Erie fishing for Walleye or anything else that was biting. He loved to travel and took his family on many vacations across the country. Visitation and viewing will be on April 24, 2022, from 4-5:15 PM. The Funeral Discourse will begin at 5:30. Services are at Rose Hill Funeral Home & Burial Park, 3653 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44333. Family and friends attending the services in person are encouraged to wear a mask. Those who cannot attend are welcome to join by Zoom. The information for those attending online is as follows: Meeting ID: 858 3309 8019 | Passcode: 502769.