Jimmy Wayne Leonard

Jimmy Wayne Leonard was a man who loved God and God’s church supremely. He started learning of God’s love from his grandfather, Alvin Leonard, a minister. Jim was instrumental in starting two churches, Here’s Hope Baptist Church in Madison, Ohio and Heritage Baptist Church in Wake Forest. He was ordained as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Through his life he served in many capacities but teaching Sunday School was one of his favorites.

Jim was born in Bristol, Virginia and moved to Marion, North Carolina at the age of six. Jim served in the US Navy for eight years. Two years were spent on a submarine, the USS Henry L Stimson. For almost three and a half years Jim was an instructor at the US Navy Nuclear Prototype near Idaho Falls, Idaho. After leaving the Navy he worked at the Perry Nuclear Plant in Perry, Ohio. Eight years later he returned to North Carolina and worked at Sherron Harris Nuclear Plant. Jim earned an Associate’s Degree in Environmental Science from Lakeland Community College in Ohio and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Maryland. In 1996, Jim started a different career working as a Network Engineer with Franklin County Schools. He dearly loved this job and the people he worked with.

Jim was predeceased by his parents and sister, Harold and Laura Leonard and Vanessa Morenings.

He leaves his wife of fifty years, Alice Leonard, his son Jimmy and his wife Laurie and son Dave Leonard and wife Susan. He loved his four grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them, Alex, Kinsey, Rachel and John. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and nephew, Imanuel and Isaac Morenings, Alice’s twin sisters Brenda and Linda who loved him as a big brother and a niece Regina and two nephews Mike and Travis.

The family expresses their gratitude to the many who have offered prayers, love and support over the last two and a half years of Jim’s life while he so bravely fought cancer.

Donations may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Church to the technology fund or to Transitions Hospice.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Church, 107 South Ave, Wake Forest. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Burial with military honors will be held at 3:00 pm at Pine Forest Memorial Garden in Wake Forest.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811

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