James Jay Leonard

James Jay Leonard, age 71, of Durand, Illinois passed away on February 19, 2025. He was born to Ralph and Marjorie (Stout) Leonard on June 10, 1953 in Rockford, Illinois. Jim graduated from Durand High School. He was a member of the Rockford North Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He worked as a chef for many years at the Mayflower and the Stockholm Inn.

Jim was a happy, positive person, he was a comedian at heart and always knew how to make his friends and family laugh. He enjoyed gardening and working on his rock garden. He liked to go shopping for antiques and had at booth at the antiques mall to share his love of antiques with others. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with all animals but mostly his beloved cats. Jim had a Barracuda that he was very proud to show off to his friends and would often find notes on the car asking if he was willing to sell it. He was the family historian. He took a very special trip to Florida which he loved and went on many special trips with his mom. Jim was known to always bring a pie or cake to the annual family picnic to show off his love of cooking and baking. He will always be known as the best babysitter, brother, and son to his family, whom he loved with all his heart.

He is survived by his siblings, Linda Harris of Pecatonica, IL and Benjamin Marshall Leonard of Durand, IL; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Leonard of Rockford, IL; nephews, William (Sandy) Leonard of Machesney Park, IL, Mark Leonard of Rockford, IL, Thomas Leonard of Rockford, IL, and James (Tammy) Harris of Rockford, IL; and nieces, Michele (Curtis) Hall of Rockford, IL, Deanne (Tom) Brown of Rockford, IL, Jenny (Ray) Goodson of Clearwater, FL, and Tina (Mike) Tucker of Rockford, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Marjorie Leonard; brother, William Clifton Leonard; brother-in-law, Mike Harris; nephew, Timothy Leonard; and niece, Linda Leonard.

A visitation for Jim will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park, IL 61115 with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM. He will be interred at Sunset Memorial Gardens.