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John Patrick Leu John Patrick Leu, 57, passed away Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, in Tallahassee after a long illness. He is survived by his mother, Leona Leu, and sisters, Mary Li, Gloria Bilyeu and Sharon Leu Moffett, along with four nieces and seven great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Leu, and his older brother, Jerry Leu. Emmy Award-winning sportscaster John Leu was born in Miami on Dec. 25, 1950. John Leu "JL" was a member of the 1967 Coral Gables High School national championship football team. The 1967 Coral Gables Cavaliers were named Team of the Century by the FHSAA in December 2007. He moved to Tallahassee in 1970 to attend Florida State University and stayed for the next 38 years. While working on his broadcast communications degree at FSU, JL got his first job at WFSU-TV and WTVJ (Miami). After graduating, he was hired to direct Florida Public Broadcasting's "Today in the Legislature" and "Florida Report" programs, which were broadcast statewide. His talent for directing unscripted live events soon led to a career in sports television. JL crisscrossed the nation, and occasionally the world, working as a contract producer, director, cameraman and stage manager for ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC and the Sunshine Network (among many others) over the course of nearly 40 years. He received two Emmy Awards for his camera work. During his career, he worked four Olympics in Seoul, Calgary, Los Angeles and Atlanta. JL also directed numerous entertainment events from the FSU Homecoming PowWow to MTV Live beach parties. He directed many live election-night political events and was technical director during coverage of the Democratic National convention in New York. JL's greatest pleasure, however, was working sports events at his beloved alma matter. He was a die-hard Seminoles fan. Even as his health was failing, JL rarely missed a game-day broadcast at FSU. He is fondly remembered for his humor and sharp wit and for his loyalty to friends and co-workers. Above all were his love and devotion to his family. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. EST Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 2200 N.Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made for an engraved brick on the "Legacy Walk" at Doak Campbell Stadium. Please make checks to Gloria Bilyeu, P.O. Box 128, Melbourne, FL 32902-0128. Abbey-Riposta Funeral Home (850-562-1518) is handling arrangements.
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Published in Tallahassee Democrat on Feb. 18, 2008
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