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BORN

1942

DIED

2018

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Murphy Funeral Homes - Arlington

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Arlington, Virginia

JAMES LEONARD Obituary


James B. Leonard (Age 75)  
Of Arlington, VA, died on Saturday, September 22, 2018 after living graciously with cancer for nearly 18 years. He was born in Waltham, MA on November 13, 1942 to Robert W. and Katherine S. Leonard. He grew up in Poultney, Vermont and graduated from Harvard College in 1964 and the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1967.  After a 1969-70 Foreign Service posting to Bonn, Germany, he worked at the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity as the legal adviser to OEO's Legal Services Program. For the next 22 years, he was a lawyer with the Solicitor's Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, serving as the Deputy Associate Solicitor for Fair Labor Standards and as the first Associate Regional Solicitor in Arlington, Virginia. In retirement, he continued his advocacy on behalf of exploited workers with ten years of committed and effective service as a volunteer attorney for Farmworker Justice, the Child Labor Coalition, the AFL-CIO, the National Employment Law Project, and Human Rights Watch. He was a man of endless curiosity, impressive erudition, and irrepressible humor. He was committed to the values of fairness and justice in every aspect of his life, and above all he was devoted to his family and his many friends, whom he loved without reservation and who returned his love in full measure.  He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan; his son Jeremy of London, UK, and his daughter, Anne (Alex Millet) of Chicago, IL; and his four grandchildren, Eva, Harold, and Alistair Leonard and Arthur Millet. He is also survived by a brother, Stephen (Marilyn), a sister Elisabeth Siegmund (Fred), a brother-in-law Douglas Stauffer (Sandra), five nieces and nephews, and three grand-nieces. A memorial gathering will be held at a future date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Sep. 27 to Sep. 29, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Bill Strauss

May 14, 2025

I was a classmate and friend of Jim´s at Harvard and again at Penn Law School. I miss him and send my warmest wishes and condolences to Joan.
Bill Strauss

Susan Wuchinich

October 4, 2018

I remember Jim well. He was a well respected lawyer on the FLSA and has his heart in the right place where workers were concnerned. Litigating in Virginia was no easy task... So sorry to learn of his passing.

Reid Maki

September 28, 2018

Jim volunteered for the Child Labor Coalition for many years. His work was so valuable. We miss him!

September 27, 2018

May the family of Mr. Leonard find comfort in close friends and family during this hard time. May you all also look to God's word for strength, as he provides strength to the tired and weak ones - Isaiah 40:29

September 27, 2018

Please accept my heart felt sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort strengthen you at this time of sadness. May Gods promise for the future bring you peace. Hosea 13:14

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