Leonard Strause

After a hard fought battle with Parkinson’s disease, Leonard Strause passed away at his Cypress home September 9, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was the founder of the women’s retail chain stores Julie’s and Ivey & Leo in the Carolinas.

Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, June 30, 1935, to Julius and Sarah Levy Strause, the family moved to Fort Mill, SC when he was 11 months old. An outstanding athlete, Leonard attended Fort Mill public schools through his Junior year in High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.

In 1952, the family moved to Charlotte when his father, Julius opened the first Deb Shop retail store on S. Tryon Street. Leonard attended his Senior year at Central High, known as “Buddy” and played both football and baseball for the “Wildcats.” After graduation, he attended UNC-Chapel Hill and played second base for the Tarheels baseball team all four years. Following his college graduation in 1957, Leonard served his country in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. Upon completing his military stint, he returned to Charlotte in 1958 and began a six decade plus career in retail at The Deb Shop, Julie’s and Ivey & Leo’s.

In October 1962, Leonard took a chance, accepting a blind date with a WC (then Women’s College, now UNC-Greensboro) coed, Judi Fratkin. By March they were engaged, and married in July 1963. After starting a family of three sons, Leonard, who traded in his baseball cleats for golf spikes, gave those up (temporarily) to be ever available and always attended the innumerable athletic, school, and social events of his three boys.

Even though Leonard never really officially retired, and continued to go into the Julie’s office at the Park Road Shopping Center well into his 80’s, he did take time to play some golf with his friends, take some cruises with his wife, run 5 and 10k races with his sons, and enjoyed spending time at his beach home with his family, especially with his five grandchildren.

Leonard was a respected businessman, a loyal friend, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather (Pop) to his grandchildren. A member of Temple Israel, the Levine JCC, he was a kind, caring, and generous man and will be sorely missed.

The Family would like to thank Seana Robinson, Camille Chaplin and Leandra Smith for their many months of loving care. A special thanks to Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region Nurse, Lisa Falk.

Predeceased by his parents, his brother Sammy, and sister-in-law Alene Cohen Strause, he is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years Judi, and sons David (Angela), Aron (Stephanie), and Joel (Kristen), and five adored grandchildren, Micah, Julian, Sloan, Alec, and Meredith, and sister-in-law Libbi Morgan.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 11 at 1:30 pm at Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Temple, or the Levine JCC would be appreciated.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.