Lenard Nelson East

Mr. Lenard Nelson East was born on Tuesday, March 8, 1960 to Joe Nelson East and Mary Emma East in Frankfurt, Germany. His father was a proud First Sergeant in the United States Army. Not long after he was born his father was transferred to Fort Still in Oklahoma. Being an only child growing up he felt a close connection with his cousins and regarded them as siblings. He would tell stories of foot races, climbing trees, having fun, and getting into mischief with his cousins. When he was 8 years old, he moved to Tacoma, WA with his mother and soon, those same aunts, uncles and cousins moved nearby. In school he was a star student-athlete and ASB President at Gault Jr. High. It was also at Gault where he met Brenda Roberts. He would often tell a story about how he casually shared with a classmate that, “Brenda Roberts would make someone an amazing wife one day.” They became friends and attended the same church and later dated in high school. Lenard’s athletic and academic achievements continued into his high school years where he attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma, WA. It was in high school that he began to hone his public speaking, leadership, and problem-solving skills. As Lenard continued to flourish, his personality and charisma transcended the classroom and he was again elected ASB president. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1978, and later attended college in Spokane, WA.

Lenard and Brenda were married in May of 1981. To their union they were blessed to grow their family with three children: Taliah East (Tolleson, AZ), Julius East (Jasmine/Glendale, AZ), Ulysses East (Patrice Bruton/Avondale, AZ), and daughter Shaleeya Mills (Tolleson, AZ). He entered the technology industry in the mid-80s. As Lenard’s career grew as a technology consultant so did his ability to inspire and help others achieve their own professional goals. He was always gracious enough to listen to anyone who needed an ear. People would reach out to him for mentorship and he humbly did his best to counsel them.

Lenard’s desire for growth professionally took his family across the country. Accepting new opportunities and making friends in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Little Rock, Arkansas; Fort Worth, Texas; The San Francisco Bay Area and Phoenix, AZ. While working in many Executive Leadership positions throughout his career, Lenard’s professional acumen was an asset with Deloitte Consulting as a Specialist Master from 2010 – 2020. His focus was on mergers and acquisitions and later he worked on cloud technology pursuits throughout The United States and Mexico. In 2020 Lenard was blessed to partner with SEI, Systems Evolution, INC., as a Business and Technology Consultant; wherein, his dynamic impact with “The Team” was immediately realized. His contributions as a colleague and friend are evident in the outpouring of love and support extended to his family from SEI.

Wherever Lenard and his family moved to, they flourished. Even though he did a lot of traveling for his job, he instilled in his family the importance of knowing and experiencing the vastness, beauty, complexity, and differences in the world through vacationing with his family. He took the family to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico a few times and to a Raider game in Oakland, CA in 2019 where they made a stop at the Raiders Headquarters before the game to see if any players would stop by and they did!. He also enjoyed camping with the family.

Lenard loved music. He was a big fan of Marvin Gaye and old school R&B, as well as Jazz music. In fact, he was quite the singer, having sang in church choir, in school, in weddings and always around the house. He and Brenda would sing together at special occasions with friends. He was a big-time sports fan and was always front and center for every Raider Game – fully dressed in all his Raider gear. His favorite basketball team was the Golden State Warriors. He had an opinion about everything and would have debates with people all the time. He loved to entertain. You would find him barbecuing, talking loudly, laughing even louder, and sharing words of wisdom with others all the time.

Lenard was such a force and large presence in the family. He was kind and generous to others. He was our anchor. He was our coach on the sideline cheering and challenging us to always do our best. He would always say, “There is no substitute for hard work”. He was larger than life. He was loved by so many which is evident by the outpouring of love the family has received during this time of bereavement. As we remember his love for us and the way he expressed that love so often, we will also continue to strive for those things we think are unattainable just as he did. For it is through that striving that God provides the increase. His life is a testament of hard work, faith, and God’s favor. Let us all continue to do as our beloved Lenard would always say,…

“Reach just Beyond your Grasp”

Lenard leaves to cherish his life and memories, The Love of his Life for 39 years, “His Girlfriend”, “His Sweetie”, “His Ride or Die”, “His Wife”, Brenda, his 4 children and 3 grandbabies that he absolutely loved and adored: Ava Simone (6); Zola Jonee (5) and Emori Joyce (4 weeks) as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.

Lenard is Forever in Our Hearts.

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Order of Service

Prelude.……..………………...……….…..Praise and Worship Music

Processional of Family (Stand)..Song..“Every Praise”..by Hezekiah Walker

Greetings……………….…….….………Min. ReBecca Suits-Burkett

Prayer……………….……….…………Mr. Marshall Bootsy Wilson

Old Testament Scripture……...Psalm 73:24-26………Mrs. DC Gillespie

New Testament Scripture.…..1 Thess.4:13-14……Deacon Donald Love

Song…………………..“Worth” …………..…….by Anthony Brown

As a Friend…………………Mr. Eric Flynn………...…Tacoma, WA

As a Brother……………..…Mr. Shannon Roberts..…….Houston, TX

As a Mentor………….…….Ms. Karelle Pinnock….San Francisco, CA

As a Colleague………….…..Mr. Mark Retz - SEI,Inc.......Phoenix, AZ

DVD …………….……………….……R eflections of Lenard’s Life

Acknowledgements & Resolutions……,,,…Min. ReBecca Suits-Burkett

Mt. Moriah AME Church, Maricopa, AZ

Song………………“Nobody Greater”…...…..…by Vashawn Mitchell

Celebration of Life Prayer……..........……..Min. ReBecca Suits-Burkett

Musical Selection……..“Blessed Assurance”………….Ms. Taliah East

Accompanist…………………Mr. Lonnie Irons, Phoenix, AZ

Eulogy………….………….…Pastor David Burkett, Brunswick, GA

Closing Remarks

Rejoicing Closing Song..…“Take Me To The King”……by Tamela Mann

Recessional

Reception ……. Immediately following Service

Acknowledgements

The East Family gratefully acknowledges your comforting expressions

of sympathy rendered through gifts, cards, visits, expressions of sympathy

and every act of kindness shown during this time of bereavement.

We acknowledge the generosity in spirit and deed of our wonderful circle

of family & friends who prayed, called, provided food, and contributed

financially. We cannot thank you enough for all of your love and support.

“God Bless each of you Abundantly”

Special Thanks

The Staff of Banner Estrella Hospital, Phoenix, AZ

SEI – Systems Evolution Incorporated Family

Mr. Mark Retz, SEI

Rogers Benefit Group, Phoenix & Tucson AZ

Mr. Timothy Radden, Northwest Mutual Insurance

Mr. Lonnie Irons for sharing his musical gifts

Mrs. DC Gillespie, Medical Intercessor

Pastor Arnold Jackson, Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church, Maricopa, AZ

Pastor & Mrs. David Burkett. Brunswick, GA

Ms. Marie Bruin & Ms. Paula Wood – Lincoln Alumni Memorial Fund

Final Arrangements Entrusted to: Chapel of The Chimes, Michele Bailey

Please visit: www.dignitymemorial.com to leave in honor of Lenard East,

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“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent

from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV