James Alexander Leech D.V.M.

May 20 1925 - February 9 2006 Dr. J. Alex Leech former Madison County Mayor retired veterinarian and dedicated public servant died on Thursday February 9 2006 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital of congestive heart failure. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday February 15 at 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A native of Tiptonville Lake County Tennessee Dr. Leech moved to Jackson Tennessee and began a veterinary practice in 1948 where he loved working until 1982 when he decided to run for office of the first Madison County Executive. He also served as Madison County Commissioner for 8 years 1974-1982. Jacksons first black radio station WJAK was started in 1954 by Dr. Leech. Nell Huntspon Roland Porter and Jim Dandy were also instrumental in the success of WJAK Radio. Alex Leech attended Tiptonville High School Jefferson Military Academy Natchez Miss. and graduated from Auburn University in 1947. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during World War II was past president of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association five-year member of the Veterinary Board of Examiners secretary-treasurer of the West Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association five years on the Tennessee State Aeronautics Board president of the Association of Tennessee Valley Governments board of directors chairman of the Southwest Tennessee Development District personnel and grievance committees chairman of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority chairman of the United Way emergency management funds committee chairman of the Tennessee Association Human Resource Agencies member of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and executive committee honorary member of the Chamber Ambassadors member of Southwest Tennessee Health Planning Easter Seal Society board of directors Chickasaw-Shiloh Resource Conservation Development Jackson Downtown Development Corporation Job Training Partnership Association West Tennessee County ExecutivesMayors Association Madison County Industrial Parks Committee a longtime member of the Madison County Democratic Party and as chairman of the Madison County Board of Commissioners for sixteen years. Dr. Leech was elected in 1982 for a four-year term as the first Madison County executive and was re-elected in 1986 1990 1994 1998 and retired as county mayor in 2002. He served as ex-officio on numerous boards including West Tennessee Healthcare Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority Madison County Agricultural Committee Community Economic Development Commission Civil Service Board Community Corrections Advisory Board Madison County Council On Aging Madison County E911 Board Of Directors Jackson-Madison County Board Of Education Madison County Election Commission Juvenile Court Services Board Jackson-Madison County Library Board and the Municipal Solid Waste Advisory Board. Among many of his awards he was selected the Tennessee Veterinarian Of The Year in 1970 received the WDXI Radio Community Service Award The Career Award by the Tennessee Veterinary Medical association in 1983 The Tennessee Association Of Human Resource Agency Presidents Award in 1997 and was the first recipient of The George A. Smith Award in March 2002 for his outstanding service to the community. One of his favorite hobbies was flying as was evident in his having a private pilot license since 1952 and logging over 2300 hours total flying time. Survivors include his wife Celia; two daughters Maggie David Byars of Martin TN and Melinda Martin Blair of Sacramento CA; four step-daughters Bobbie Johnnie Toombs of Murfreesboro TN Rachel Michael Cowger Willis of Smyrna TN Sue Ellen Ryberg of Oceanside CA and Laura Joe Barnes of Brentwood TN; a stepson David Jan Blackwood of Jackson TN; 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and a dear lifelong friend Billy Pirtle. Dr. Leech was preceded in death by a brother William E. Leech; a sister Virginia Leech; lifelong friend Mary Craig; and his parents Margaret Loggins McCain and William Zellner Leech. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the prevention of child abuse 213 Cheyenne Dr. Jackson TN or to a charity of your choice. Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home 731-424-2424