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BORN
1930
DIED
2025
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Bill Leonard Obituary
05/09/1930 - 06/09/2025
Bill Tom Leonard married Lyla Laketa Harper, his Port School sweetheart, December 1, 1950. From this marriage of sixty-five years, 8 months and 23 days came a daughter, Susie Leonard Light, two sons, Allen Tom and his wife Tonie, and John Brian and his wife, Renee.
Keta and Tom's early marriage years were in Stillwater and Muskogee, Oklahoma. In 1959, they moved to Houston, Texas and lived in the Alief area until Keta's death on July 23, 2016.
Bill Tom was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, grew up on the family farm in the 41 Community of the Port School District. He was the fifth child of John William "Bill" Leonard and Lottie Lucas Leonard. He had a brother and three sisters. Their names were Estil, Inez, Hazel Lou and Emma Jo. All family members preceded him in death.
After moving to Houston, he continued to work as an agronomist in the turf grass field both commercially and privately, being the Superintendent at River Oaks Country Club and later owning a successful business called Turf World. In 2018 Tom was the first person to be awarded the Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America – Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019 the award was renamed the Tom Leonard Lifetime Achievement Award.
He leaves behind many nieces and nephews scattered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Elk City and Cordell, Oklahoma.
Tom and Keta's family has now reached 25 with grandchildren Haylie and her husband, Greg, Joshua and his wife, Tori, Cassie and her husband, Justin, Callie and her husband, Johnny, John Thomas and his wife, Sabrina, and Leah and her husband, Daniel. Great grandchildren are Karter, Lyla, Annie, Alyvia, Eliza Rose, Stella, Paislee, and Ezra Bear.
To these he will remain "Daddy," "Grandad," or "Uncle Bill Tom".
He loved them all and thought of them often.
Funeral: 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2025
First Baptist Church Carter, Oklahoma
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home - Sentinel, Oklahoma
Interment: Sentinel Cemetery - Sentinel, Oklahoma
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bill Leonard
Sponsored by Ray & Martha's Funeral Home - Sentinel.
2 Entries
Jack Forester
June 14, 2025
Tom was not only one of the very best Turf and Agronomy men around golf, but a better man you won't find. The Forester's enjoyed your counsel and friendship for many year's. RIP my friend.
Jett Williams
June 13, 2025
I remember Tom and Keta Leonard from my early childhood. They were friends of my Mom and Dad, Floy Mae and Jett Williams. I´m not sure of the precise connection. I thought they were neighbors in Oak Estates or the Montrose area, but I´m questioning that based on the obit. I do recall that Tom and Keta came to visit after we moved out to Walnut Bend.
I am sorry for your loss. May Tom´s memory be for a blessing.
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Ray & Martha's Funeral Home - Sentinel114 S 3rd St., Sentinel, OK 73664
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