Photo courtesy of Crofts-Crow Funeral Home - Johnson City
Johnson City, Texas
Sep 18, 1929 – Apr 9, 2019 (Age 89)
James Ross Leonard, 89, was surrounded by his family in Johnson City, TX and went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, 4/9/2019. James Ross was born on September 18, 1929 in Austin, TX. He wanted “to live long enough to watch the Final Four Championship” on Monday and as a family we cheered Texas Tech with him. He past peacefully at home the next morning
with family, Pastor Lee Romero, and Hospice professionals.
James Ross, affectionately known as “Coach” was a trailblazer for women’s athletics in the state of Texas. During his successful years on the court, he went to the 1977 state women’s basketball tournament finals. He lead his Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD team to the finals and had the honor to be the first women’s basketball team to go to state in the San Antonio area. His career included coaching numerous champions in football, basketball, and track at Johnson City, Banquete, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City, and Northeast and Northside ISD’s.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jimmy and Kittie Leonard. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Yvonne Leonard; sister Jeanette Pickard (Bill); daughters, Sharon Pope (David); Janice Fox (Larry Balko); Teresa Leonard; grandchildren, Chuck Schuetz (Katie); Vanessa Fox-Norton (Jason); Jimmy Fox (Andrea); Randa Pope; great-grandchildren, Hailey Fox, Haden Fox, Travis Norton, Jacob Norton, Siena Schuetz, Evelyn Schuetz, David Herold; and nieces and nephews, Will Pickard (Gina); Lori Letcher (Trey); and deceased, Brenda Lambeth and Mike Pickard.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, 4/11/19, 5-7pm at Croft-Crow Funeral Home, Johnson City, Texas. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, 4/12/19, 11am at Croft-Crow Funeral Home.
Interment (or He will be laid to rest at) will follow at the Johnson City Masonic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cherokee Home for Children, PO Box 295, Cherokee, TX. 76832 or First United Methodist Church, 105 LBJ Drive, Johnson City, TX. 78686.
Special appreciation to Hill Country Memorial Hospice, Fredericksburg, Texas and a heartfelt thanks to Desiree, Eddie, Teresa, and William.
His Irish roots gave him a great sense of humor by always having a story, joke, or prank. He influenced generations of children and will be remembered with love and gratefulness by his unconditional acceptance, love, and wisdom. His strength to support his family and friends by always being present with encouragement, guidance, and caring. He will be with us in the next room (Heaven).
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Coach inspired his players to work hard and be prepared for opportunities. He was a great man who always wore a warm smile and made winning fun. Coach will not be forgotten by those who knew him.
Tim Terry
April 14, 2019 | Fredericksburg, TX | Friend
I've never heard an unkind comment about the person we knew as "James Ross" and our daughters knew as "Coach Leonard". Our older daughter Linda was on the basket ball team. Younger daughter Bonnie dearly loved basketball but was just not a good enough player to be on the team. He knew how much basketball meant to her and he arranged some kind of little jobs for her to do at the games just so that she could feel she was part of the team even though she could not actually play. She never...
Porter & Juneth Watson
April 11, 2019 | Hye, TX
Merlyn and I always enjoyed visiting with Coach in church.
Nina Saxton
April 11, 2019 | Johnson City, TX | Acquaintance
I enjoyed visiting with him when wed run into each other, around town. Usually the post office! Ill never forget the centipede he found that was huge! He was truly one of the towns characters! Hell be missed. My sympathies to his loved ones. RIP, sir.
Sandi Kinman
April 11, 2019 | Johnson City | Acquaintance
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. He was a joy to be around. God Bless you all.
Charles and Patsy Sharp
April 11, 2019 | Johnson City, TX | Friend
We would like to extend our condolences to Mrs. Leonard and the family. Mrs. Leonard was my 2nd grade teacher in 1963 and 2 of my sisters and a brother had the opportunity to learn basketball from Coach while in Johnson City. We are sorry for your loss at this moment, may you find comfort knowing that he is asleep and no longer in pain.
Teri Caseres Readel
April 10, 2019 | Exeter, NH | Student
Praying for the family members. They lost a wonderful family member, who will be missed.
Leslie Hoops-Wallace
April 10, 2019 | Bonaire, GA | Friend
Coach was a great teacher and leader at Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Tx. Hell be missed by his students, co-workers and all that were coached by him.
Pam Sinclair
April 10, 2019 | Universal City, TX | Student
The fact is that he loved what he did! He loved his community and the the young people that was in trusted to him and his leadership!
Sherry Smith Jenkins
April 10, 2019 | Johnson City, TX | Student
