Mr. Leonard was a mentor to me in my youth although back then I would stubbornly have never admitted to allowing a mentor.  In 1986 I had just been elected to a youth leadership position in the local scouting program to which he was the adult advisor. His reputation as a stern and intimidating figure who did not gladly suffer fools or nonsense preceded him. I had been nervous to meet him whereupon he soberly enunciated his expectations of me in my new leadership role. I did not want to disappoint im. As we worked together I found him to be gentle and thoughtful; passionate about the welfare of the scouting program and deliberate in his custodianship of it. We understood each other on that level and worked quite well together for several years with different but complementary energies. While I frenentically went about executing the duties of my position with teenaged intensity he would watch and, very coolly smoking his pipe, calmly offer suggestions that I always listened to with deep respect. And when he was done and his suggestions duly aired I'd usually go ahead and do whatever I was going to do anyway and he would graciously give me the space I needed to succeed or fail at it. If I failed he was courteous about it, and if I succeeded he was generous with his acknowledgements. There is no way to recompense a man for the twin gifts of patiently offering a youth generous wisdom as well as granting ample room to fail or succeed. Sometimes I would visit him at the bank downtown where he worked. He had his own office in one of the tallest buildings in Jacksonville, with a view of the city behind his desk. There wasn't anyone in my life with so conspicuously impressive an arrangement. As far as I was concerned he was a titan - a model for where a man might wind up if he was focused and able-minded. I looked up to and respected Mr. Leonard and over the many years since I have remembered him with respect and great admiration. 

My belated condolences to his family.

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Clarence Leonard

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Clarence Richard Leonard Sr.

December 13, 1936 – December 31, 2023

Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel & Oaklawn Cemetery

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