Joe Means Leonard, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 11:00 am for Joe M. Leonard, Jr. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. No visitation is planned. Arrangements are under the Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home.


Joe Means Leonard, Jr. passed from his earthly life on February 15, 2015.

He was born on June 20, 1919 to Joe Means Leonard, Sr. and Phoebe Myers Leonard in Gainesville Texas. He married Mary Sue Davis on July 8, 1942 in Marietta, Oklahoma. He is survived by his son Joe M. Leonard III and wife, Sharon of Greenville, Texas; daughter, Susanne Beard of Ft. Worth, Texas; daughter, Jan Stamper and husband Bryan Stamper of Ocoee, Florida; grandchildren and great grandchildren Dan Leonard, wife Kimberly and their children Zachary and Elizabeth Leonard; Rachel Leonard Cisneros, husband Tony and their children Isaac and Nate Cisneros; Jessica Beard Cung, husband Steve and their children, Cameron and Colby Cung; Matt Beard, wife Tristan and their son, Connor Beard; Anne Stamper Turner, husband Clay and Jack Stamper. He is also survived by beloved nieces, nephews and their spouses.


He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mary Sue Leonard in 2007 and his brother, Earl M. (Bud) Leonard.


Joe graduated from Gainesville High School in 1937 and from the University of Texas in 1941 with a BA in Arts and Sciences and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He served with the Army Signal Corps from 1942-45 and attained the rank of Captain. He participated in the invasion of Normandy and campaigned in France, Belgium, the Ardennes and Germany. He received the Bronze Star for his Signal Intelligence work.

After the war he worked at the Gainesville Daily Register, the newspaper founded by his grandfather, John T. Leonard. In 1947 he founded Radio Station KGAF. He also developed Lin and Kliff Records. Joe became a media broker and was the founder and Chairman of the National and International Association of Mergers and Acquisitions Consultants which merged with International Network of Mergers and Acquisitions Partners. He was elected as the President of the Texas Association of Broadcasters, honored as a Pioneer Broadcaster and was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.


Joe had a deep faith in God and was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for five decades. Along with his many professional achievements he enjoyed collecting art, gardening, dancing, traveling, listening to music and writing. He was the author of two books: Rockabilly, Radio and WWII (2002) and Bah, Bah, Black Sheep (2004).
He remained active and lived independently until one week before his death. Joe was devoted to his family and in return they counted him as their hero. He will be dearly missed by his family and a host of friends.

The family suggests donations be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, PO Box 635, Gainesville, TX 76241 or Boys and Girls Club of Cooke County, 315 W. Hird St., Gainesville, TX 76240.