Rob Leake

1932 - 2025

Robert Clark Leake, Sr., 92, of Tupelo, Mississippi passed away on October 9, 2025, at The Traceway Green Houses. Rob was born on December 14, 1932 at the Tupelo Community Hospital to Medford and Jayne Strain Leake.

He was a 1951 graduate of Tupelo High School and a 1954 graduate of Duke University. He was a lifelong member of Tupelo First United Methodist Church, where he served as chair of numerous committees, including the Sanctuary expansion.

"Mr. Rob" worked at his family business, Leake & Goodlett, Inc. (building materials) for 64 years. He had the opportunity to work with 5 generations of family members in his long tenure. Rob loved his community and it led to many areas of involvement. He was a long time member of the Renasant Bank Board of Directors, serving as Chairman for 16 years. He was a member of the Tupelo Kiwanis Club, serving a term as President; at his passing he was the longest serving member of the club. He served as President of the Community Development Foundation. He served as Chairman of The Tupelo Parks Commission, during which Tupelo greatly expanded its number of parks and services. He supported Scouting, serving as President of the Yocona Area Council Boy Scouts of America. He received the Silver Beaver award and the Distinguished Citizen award. He was an Eagle Scout, father of two Eagle Scouts, and grandfather of an Eagle Scout. He was a member of the NMMC Executive Board. He served on the board of Mississippi Methodist Children's Home. He was awarded the Junior Auxiliary Citizen of the Year. He was a US Army Veteran.

Rob was an avid bird watcher and loved fishing. He was a lifelong supporter of Tupelo and Ole Miss athletics and also enjoyed celebrating the highs and lows of Duke basketball and football, respectively. He was a patron of The Masters golf tournament for 56 years. Rob loved working in his yard planting and transplanting native plants. He practiced the art of bonsai trees.

He is survived by his sons, Robert Clark Leake, Jr of Lexington, Kentucky and Lindsey Spight Leake (Tracy Jernigan Leake) of Tupelo; grandchildren, Joanna Caroline Leake of Savannah, Georgia, 2nd Lt Robert Lindsey Leake of Pensacola, Florida (Fiancé Madison Stanzell), Aubrey Virginia Leake of Tupelo, and Robert Samuel Leake of Lexington, Kentucky; and brother-in-law, William Lindsey Spight of Oakland, California.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Carol Spight Leake; parents, Medford and Jayne Leake; brother, Mem Leake; and in-laws, Lindsey and Virginia Spight.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Pegues, Tupelo.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues with Rev. Rusty Keen officiating. A graveside service will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Frank Riley, Jr., Britt Caldwell, Murphy Thompson, Pat Caldwell, Wright Hill, and Ernest Joyner.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Hill, Ernie Joyner, Dr. Jim Gordon, Jim High, Dr. Rich Heyer, John Smith, Robin McGraw, Chris Rogers, and Charles Johnston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS 38802 or Natchez Trace Council Boy Scouts, 505 Air Park Road, Tupelo, MS 38801.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.