John Paul Leonard

John Paul Leonard, 71, of Russellville, died Sunday, May 4, 2003 at Mayo St. Luke's Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. The son of John and Jessie (Paul) Leonard, he was born August 29, 1931 in Russellville. He was the first President of the National Honor Society at Gardner Junior High School. He was a 1949 graduate of Russellville High School and then attended Arkansas Tech University for 2 years. John Paul joined the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict at Eglin Air Force Base and was also stationed in Alaska. After his father's death, John came to work full time at Leonard's Hardware. John Paul worked at the store for over 50 years and currently served as President and CEO of Leonard's Hardware. He married Shirley Jackson on August 24, 1957 at Russellville, Arkansas. John Paul was very active in community affairs including serving for 6 years on the Russellville Planning Commission, the Russellville Jaycees, and was a member and Past Commander of the Hamilton Riggs Post of the American Legion. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where he attended the Carden Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Leonard, Russellville, AR; son, John Paul Leonard, Jr., Dallas, TX; 3 daughters and 3 sons-in-law, Ellen Leonard & Paul Knutson, Rogers, AR, Lucy & Eule Carr, Jr., Russellville, AR, Amanda & Richie Shilling, Russellville, AR; 8 granddaughters, Bonnie & Libby Bridges, Rogers, AR, Jessie & Krystal & Shirley Carr, Russellville, AR, Madison & Mackenzie & Marley Shilling, Russellville, AR; 2 sisters, Marguerite Gibson, Benton, AR, Jeanette Tibbels, Russellville, AR and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 3 pm Saturday, May 10, 2003 at First United Methodist Church by Rev. Mackey Yokem. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery at Russellville under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. The family will receive friends from 7-9:00 pm Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 301 South Denver, Russellville, AR 72801 or the American Lung Association, 211 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72205-1539.