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Leo Kim SULLIVAN

1942 - 2014

BORN

1942

DIED

2014

Leo SULLIVAN Obituary

Name: Interment for Leo Kim SULLIVAN
Start: 2014-11-19T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery

SULLIVAN, Leo Kim

Leo Sullivan was born in the coal mining town of Beaver Falls PA on August 10, 1942. He came to Austin in 1958 and remained a central figure in the music scene here until health problems required relocation to Hot Springs AR, where he passed away on November 6, 2014 in the loving care of his wife Kayla Sullivan.

Story-teller, sound-man, sage, friend, father. Leo was at the center of the Austin music scene while it was young and free.

His knowledge, humour, perception, gentle, kind-hearted equanimity and untamed imagination are beloved still by all who knew him.

"I hear the clouds singing but they have been all along; The heavens are ringing, I just now caught on; And all of creation is outside of me. I'm outside myself now, like I was meant to be."

Leo served his country as a veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a peace-loving, steadfast, independent, good and honest man who loved kids and understood dogs.

He is survived by his wife Kayla, son John, step-children Virtue, Kupid, Aura, Willy and Tony, brothers Patrick and Donnie Sullivan and his long-time friend and kindred spirit John Clay of Stamford, Texas.

"Do you think we could get by, on watermelon pie, If we lived on that, all the summer through?"

Internment will be held Nov.19, 2014 at 1 pm at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. 11463 State Highway 195 Killeen, Texas 76542-4945 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for final expenses can be made to [email protected] via Paypal. Family and friends are invited to gather at Threadgill's North 6-9 PM

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Nov. 14 to Nov. 15, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Leo SULLIVAN

15 Entries

Douglas Tabony

October 21, 2019

I was a classical violinist interested in playing other things. In 1972 I was improvising by myself on 23 1/2 street when up walks a guy who stopped to talk. He (Leo) invited me to a rehearsal that night at his house. I went and ended up playing with John Clay and the Lost Austin Band for 20 years. For numerous years Leo and I hung out together at his house or at Les Amis drinking coffee and BSing. Anderson Coffee Co. had just opened in '72. Leo introduced me to that wonderful coffee and I went from drinking no coffee to drinking way too much of the best in Austin. I still drink Anderson's every day but on a much lower scale. Once, when a number of us were sitting around at Les Amis, we ordered a pizza to be delivered there. It arrived and the delivery guy went up to the coordinating area for the kitchen and asked who had ordered it. They had no idea. We finally claimed it. The manager was fuming when he heard about it. Leo seem to do very little but he knew everyone and everything that was going on. He was the 1st class storyteller, some of which were actually true. I will miss that man. He would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it. I am so glad that I happen to be out playing on the street that day.

leola perez

November 20, 2014

Rest in peace, old friend...I'm glad to have known you.

John Hamilton Farr

November 19, 2014

I was sitting by the wood stove in Taos, New Mexico and for whatever reason suddenly thought about Leo. This was today, November 19. I knew he'd been sick and wondered if he was all right, so I googled "Leo Sullivan + Austin" and found this page. Imagine my astonishment when I read that the burial was today!

Some coincidence, I say. Forgive me for assuming, but I really had the feeling Leo wanted me to know that he was no longer of this Earth. It would have been like him. We saw a lot of each other from 1971-75 when he managed the Lost Austin Band. I never met another fellow quite like Leo. Such a strong and positive personality he had, for me to be reminded of him after all this time so I could leave these words. What a great obituary, too. Good thoughts for his family and John Clay. There's a lot of water gone under this bridge.

November 15, 2014

I remember Leo fondly from my early Austin days around the simpler and friendlier Austin Music Scene. My his memory be a blessing and comfort to his family and friends.
Phyllis

Morgan Stout

November 15, 2014

Leo - I sure enjoyed chatting and sharing your coffee at Maggie Mae's, Spellman's and at the lake. Oh yeah, we often ran into each other at Omelettry or BurgerTex...I'll miss you...

Betty Vornbrock

November 15, 2014

I have fond and fun memories of playing music at Maggie Mae's with you as our faithful soundman. Austin in the 80's would not have been the same without you. Peaceful rest to you, Leo.

Wally Stopher aka Henry Wallace III

November 14, 2014

So long, Leo. You'll always be a good friend, and an unassuming and comforting presence. My condolences and good vibes to your family.

November 14, 2014

Its a rare privilege to have a long time friend that is so consistently likable and generous. My sense of loss is so deep I can't put it into words.

Welcoming Leo to Heaven

Barbara Solomon

November 14, 2014

Dear Leo,

She is welcoming you to Heaven because you are one of the good guys. I met you in 1969 and you were and have been kind, smart with a great sense of humor. It doesn't get much better than that. Making some strong coffee in your honor and remembering your undaunted spirit.

Christy Palumbo Foster

November 14, 2014

Privileged to call you friend. You touched so many of us. Your recordings will live on, stories and conversations, even your voice mails!

Strick Strickland

November 14, 2014

Leo was a "sound-man" and a sound friend

Lisa Bias

November 14, 2014

Love to Kayla, John, family and friends. I'd got to hang with Leo a few times, and immediately felt like a lifelong friend. Loved his stories and enthusiasm. Sorry to see him go. xoxo