James Leonard

James ‘Jim’ Leroy Leonard, 85, of Odessa, Texas, went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2023, in Odessa, Texas.

Visitation will be held 6 - 8 pm Monday, March 27, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Crossroads Fellowship in the chapel with Reverend Jimmy Braswell officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

Jim was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Leroy and Bernice Leonard on September 16, 1937. He attended school in Coffeyville, Kansas, and furthered his education at Coffeyville Community College and Austin College in Sherman, Texas. During his time in college, he married the love of his life, Shirley Linabell Hargis on June 4, 1957, in Coffeyville, Kansas. A special highlight of his college football career was winning the National Junior College Championship in 1956 with the Coffeyville Ravens. He was a supervisor for El Paso Products (Huntsman) for 43 years before retiring. He was a member and deacon of Sherwood Baptist and later a member of Crossroads Fellowship, a lifetime member of the Masons, member of the YMCA, member of the American Legion, and a loyal member at Mission Fitness. He received various awards during his time at Huntsman and after retirement enjoyed spending his time on the golf course with great friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his loving wife Shirley; his parents Leroy and Bernice; and his son-in-law Chris Tillery.

Jim is survived by his three daughters Valarie Leonard, Leslie Poole and husband Kenneth, Dana Taliaferro and husband Michael; his brother Tom Leonard and wife Pal; and two sisters, Janet Morgan and Joyce Adair; his grandchildren Amanda Dugan, Tara Moses and husband Drew, Kelsey Tillery, Madison Bowling and husband Jas, Courtney Taliaferro, Chase Taliaferro; and great grandchildren Dugan Moses, Blake Moses, Sawyer Moses, and Baby Bowling arriving June 2023; and close dear friend Donna Hicks, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Chase Taliaferro, Drew Moses, Jas Bowling, Monnie Sparkman, John Sparkman, Mark Windham, Mike Bohannan, and Jerry Dugan Jr.

Memorials may be given to a charity of your choice. The family of Jim wishes to extend our sincerest thanks to Mission Fitness team, Crossroads Fellowship, and to our dearest friends and family.