Liberty – James Edward "Jim" Leeson Sr., 80, born on November 4, 1945 in Nicholas County, WVa, to the late Dorothea Taylor Leeson Hanna and James W. Leeson, went to eternal peace ( as he would say, "he has gone fishin' " )on January 7, 2026. Jim fought one courageous battle against multiple myeloma for the last eight years. He was the strongest man we knew.
Jim was a proud United States Army Veteran who served in Vietnam as a lineman from 1968 to 1970. He later worked as a tree trimmer for Nelson Tree Service. He loved to fish on Lake Erie with his son-in-law, Ron, and no one lit up more after he saw his great-grandchildren. He was a very talented craftsman and designed a full-size working lighthouse, a wishing well, and even a multigenerational cradle used for his youngest daughter, all three grandchildren, and two of his great-grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Joe and Rose Bays, stepfather Roscoe Hanna; two brothers, John and Jacob; and three sisters, Susan, Anna, and Charlotte.
Remaining to cherish his memory is his wife of 55 years, Juanita Bays Leeson, one brother Joseph Leeson of Chapin SC; three daughters, Marsha (Ron) DeMarco of Liberty Twp, OH, Sharon (Thaddeus) Stephenson of Cortland, OH, and Kimberly (Bryan) Fowler of Wentzville, MO; one son, James II of Liberty Twp, OH; three grandchildren, Dominick DeMarco of Akron, Madison (Robert) England of Liberty Twp, and Victoria "Tori" DeMarco of Liberty Twp, OH, four great-grandchildren, Michael Kennedy, Scarlett DeMarco, Claire England, and Millie England; sister-in-law, Maryan Scott; and life-long friend Carl Payatt Sr.
A profound thank you to Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center at Wade Park for eight years of excellent service, and our deepest gratitude to Cathy Bonko, who always went above and beyond with compassion and empathy as a Palliative NP. To St. Elizabeth Health Center staff, a heartfelt appreciation for excellent care these last two weeks. With immense appreciation we would like to thank Dr. Suhad and Dr. Johnny Alayon, family, and our friends who have been so supportive during this time.
The family will receive friends from 11-12:00PM on Tuesday January 13, 2026 at Lane Funeral Homes Roberts Clark Chapel, at 180 Garfield Dr. NE in Warren. A memorial service will follow at 12:00PM with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Jim's name to Youngstown VA Food Bank located at 1815 Belmont Ave. Youngstown, OH 44504, and please make checks out to VAMC GPF 1222 with the memo Food Pantry or at www.veteransoutreach.org/donate/ in memory of James Leeson Sr.
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