RICHARD JOHN LEONARD, SR.
Richard was born in Rochester, NY on May 1, 1930 and passed away on December 10th after a valiant battle with cancer. His loving wife Florence and he enjoyed 56 years of marriage. He was the father of six children, 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was also a decorated Veteran earning a Bronze Star.
Dick had a passion for youth sports that spanned five decades. Beginning with his sons in Little League, “Coach†Leonard would eventually go on to coach Babe Ruth baseball teams, Pop Warner football teams, and high school football teams. He was the first coach of the Salinas Colts recognizing many kids were not playing because rosters were impacted. He also assisted a reorganization in Watsonville to insure youth could continue to play. His teams won numerous championships and learned about discipline and character. He was elected District 9 Little League Administrator witnessing his girls softball team win the national championship. He was the first freshman football coach at Alvarez High School in Salinas. He also was an Assistant Coach at his children's alma mater, Salinas High, coaching the JV team to a win over a Palma team that had been unbeaten for several years. He was Defensive Coach on the Salinas 2001 varsity CCS Championship team. He was appointed the head coach at Alisal High School often mentoring the importance of good citizenship off the field as well as on the field.
Coach Leonard inspired, motivated, challenged, and developed character into the lives of many Salinas and Fresno athletes. He had a passion and gift to influence young athletes challenging them to overcome adversity and excel to their best of ability and always for the good of the team. Performance in the classroom was demanded and many of his student-athletes went on to earn college degrees. His immediate family has been touched thru the years hearing of stories from former players and his impact on their lives.
He was a plant supervisor for Firestone Tire, owned Salinas Tire and the Jock Shop. He retired and relocated to Fresno where he found his love for coaching motivated him to accept the head coach of the McLane High School freshman team and also assist at Roosevelt High School.
In addition to his loving wife Florence he is survived by sisters Shirley Rosa and Anna May Punch of Rochester, NY and brother Bert Jameson of Maryland and many loving nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his six children, Thomas and wife Linda, Richard John Jr. and wife Mary K, Ronald and wife Cheryl of Fresno/Clovis, Laurie Harless and husband Joe of Texas, Jeffrey and wife Joni of Salinas, and Robert and wife Lori of Elk Grove.
A Celebration of his life will be held at St James Cathedral in Fresno on December 20th at 2 PM.
Remembrances may be made to the Monterey Bay Youth Football League c/o Dee Jarrett, 18516 Moro Rd., Salinas, CA. 93907.