Michael Rufus Leach

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Michael Rufus Leach. Mike passed away at age 67 at his home the evening of Wednesday, January 4, 2023 of complications from a number of medical issues following a stroke he suffered in early 2021.

Prayer Service and Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 12th beginning at 5:30pm at Snow’s Memorial Chapel (746 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201). A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church (830 Poplar Street, Macon, GA 31201). Interment will take place at Macon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Monsignor Cuddy Endowment Fund of St. Joseph’s Catholic School, 905 High Street, Macon, Georgia 31201.

Born on December 21, 1955, Mike was the son of the late Rufus Jackson Leach and Francine Warnock Leach. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Rufus Albert and Gladys Chester Leach and Eschol Lee and Erma Bell Warnock, all of Macon.

Those left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Anthony Michael Leach and his mother, Aleta Leach and Stephen Neil Leach and his mother, Marie Sale; his sister, Vickie (George) Prater and nephew William J. Prater of Tiger, GA; plus many beloved cousins and dear friends.

A lifelong Maconite, Mike was a graduate of Central High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Mercer University. While at Mercer, Mike was a proud member of the Georgia Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Many of Mike’s “Brothers in the Bond” became lifelong friends, enjoying decades of annual revelry together in Jacksonville at the Georgia – Florida Game. While many of his Brothers are Gators, Mike was always a steadfast Georgia Bulldog!

Following college, Mike joined his father, Jack Leach, in the family’s painting and wallpapering business. In the 1980s, the father-son team ventured into the gold bullion and coin business and began Shiloh Gold and Silver Exchange in Downtown Macon. In the 1990s, Mike joined his best friend, Stephen Bashinski, as a jeweler at Bashinski Fine Gems and Jewelry in Macon. After retiring from jewelry sales, Mike continued working in his personal ephemera collection, World Wide Postcards, selling rare and collectible postcards to enthusiasts all over the world.

While not a “cradle Catholic”, Mike embraced the Catholic faith as a young man, after a childhood friend invited him to join his family for Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. After joining the Church, Mike was devout and enthusiastic about his faith. The Lord used his energy to inspire many friends and family members to join the Church. A true servant, Mike was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion for the homebound, and he coordinated the Adoration Chapel and served on Parish Council. One of Mike’s greatest joys was starting his day at morning Mass, whether with the Sisters in the Chapel at St. Peter Claver or at his beloved St. Joseph.

Mike will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him, but they will never forget his hearty laugh, his clever wit, or his generous spirit. “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.”

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.