Bud Leonard

On January 31, 2008, Earl M. “Bud” Leonard went home to be with the Lord whom he served all his life. He was born in Gainesville on Nov. 7, 1922, to Phoebe Myers Leonard and Joe Leonard Sr. He married Mary Francis Woodruff on Feb. 16, 1957. The love of his life proceeded him in death. Except for time spent at college and in the military, Bud spent his entire life in Gainesville. He was a very active life-long member in the First Christian Church. He served many positions touching every area of the church and was named Elder Emeritus in 2007.

During early years with his father at The Gainesville Daily Register, Bud had many opportunities to experience the inner workings of the news media. This influenced his decision to enroll in the University of Texas at Austin in 1940. He withdrew in 1942 to enlist in the United States Army Air Force. He was stationed at Fort Dodge, Kan., and was the newspaper editor there until being reassigned to Japan where he served in Public Affairs with the Army of Occupation. Upon his discharge in 1946, Bud returned to UT to complete a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

During his college years, Bud held several positions of employment which included: the Texas Department of Education, the Oil and Gas Division of the Railroad Commission, the Liquor Control Board and special aide to Senator Olan R. VanZandt. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, serving as president and remained an active Alumni.

Bud returned to Gainesville, and in 1950, became part owner of KGAF radio station with his brother. He was responsible for gathering and reporting local news among other duties. In 1968, he went to work as a stock broker for A.G. Edwards and rose to Regional Manager, a position he maintained until his retirement.

Bud was very active in the community. He served as president of the Optimists Club, and served on the Board of Southwestern Diabetes Foundation, was an avid golfer and loved Tennis. He enjoyed traveling and helping others.

Bud Leonard is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Marcus and Becky Leonard of Gainesville and Lyndon and Lonnie Leonard of Thackerville, Okla.; grandchildren, Carmen Tomsu, David Leonard, and Matthew Leonard; three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild, Ethan Tomsu; and one step-great-grandchild; brother, Joe Leonard Jr. of Gainesville; two nieces and a nephew.

Private interment will be made at Fairview Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at the First Christian Church, officiated by Rev. Mark Loewen and under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be the Elders of the First Christian Church.

The family will receive friends at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County; P.O. Box 936; Gainesville, TX 76241-0936, or to the First Christian Church Building Fund; 401 N. Dixon St.; Gainesville, TX 76240.