Gary Russell Leach

Gary Russell Leach passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, with his son at his side. He was 84 years old. Gary was a devoted husband and loving son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and friend to many.

He is survived by his son, Andrew Leach, daughter-in-law Andrea Leach and their three children: Johnathan, Kathryn, and Sarah.

Including his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Margie), daughter Margot Leach, and his older brother Frank ‘Pete’ Leach.

Gary was born June 18, 1940, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to the late Clark Russell Leach and Jean (Myers) Leach. He attended Wilson High School, West Lawn, PA, and was a good student and athlete. He was the center and Team Captain for the 1957-1958 football season. According to Gary, his father attended every home game rain or shine. Gary also earned numerous medals in track and field and in 1998 he was inducted into The Wilson Athletic Hall of Fame for his contributions to both the football and track teams.

The Class of ‘58 was a close group and Gary remained friends with many well beyond high school. He and Margie regularly attended class reunions and took trips and cruises in their retirement years with these high school friends. Their travels spanned the globe with Europe, New Zealand, and South America among their many destinations.

After high school, Gary attended Ursinus College from 1958-1962. He played football (this time as a fullback) for the Bears all four years and was awarded the Walker Trophy for Fine Play his senior year.

He went on to attend medical school at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA, where he graduated in 1966. While there, Gary met the love of his life, Margie Kunzler while she was a student at Penn Hall, a nearby nursing school. They married on June 12, 1965 in Lancaster, PA. Soon after, Gary was accepted to the prestigious Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Residency for Urology in Rochester, MN.

While Gary studied Urology and Margie worked as a head nurse, they were blessed with the long-awaited birth of their first child, Andrew. Soon after, Gary was inducted in the US Army as a physician and was stationed at the SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers of Europe) Headquarters in Maisieres, Belgium, during the Vietnam War. There they had their second child, Margot, in 1972. Always adventurous, they took advantage of travel opportunities in Europe with their two kids in tow.

The family returned stateside in 1974, and settled in Erie, PA. The young family made lifelong friends and pursued a new hobby, sailing, on Lake Erie. The family then relocated to Houston in 1982 for Gary to begin a two year residency in pursuit of a new specialty, Radiation Oncology, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. After completing the program, he was very fortunate to partner with Dr. Arthur Hamberger, who he greatly respected as an exceptional physician and good friend. Together they grew their practice at Memorial Hermann hospital and treated countless patients with great skill and care over many years.

In retirement, Gary and Margie renovated a farmhouse in Schulenburg, TX and spent many fun weekends there with their grandchildren, family and friends. Between their many trips near and far they enjoyed attending First Communions, Grandparent Days, Graduations and sporting events. And they each pursued their own hobbies; Margie with her painting and Gary enjoyed photography.

In May 2022 Gary suffered a stroke that left its mark on him physically but never dampened his spirit. After losing his daughter Margot in November 2022, and his wife Margie in April 2023, Gary relied more on others and the company of his two sweet cats Molly and Lizzy Lu. He was known by many at Eagle’s Trace Retirement community, especially those in his building (Galveston Crossing) where he made the rounds with his trusty red rollator, and in the evenings at Stetsons restaurant with the early dinner crew. He thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the other residents and would often tell his family what accomplished and interesting people he’d met.

We are grateful for the daily home health care that Gary received at Eagle’s Trace; especially from Collette, who since Margie’s passing, not only helped him tremendously each day but also became a dear friend. And we are also very thankful for compassionate end of life care from Dr. Lee and Sandy Lucas at Bayou City Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at the Earthman Funeral Directors -Hunters Creek Village (8303 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024) on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10:30 am with Rev R. Troy Gately officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX, 77079.

In lieu of flowers, please use the links provided below under "Donations" to make a donation in Gary’s memory to:

The Alzheimer’s Association

The American Stroke Association