James E Leach

Our dear father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was called to his heavenly home on April 29th, 2015 following a ten year battle with cancer. Jim was born in Pontiac, Michigan on October 10, 1930 to Arthur and Marie (Wallace) Leach. He served as an ordained clergyman in the United Methodist Church for 51 years until his retirement in 2005. Jim served in churches in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Big Rapids Michigan as well as in Lake Placid, Florida. During the course of his career he also served as chaplain and director of Goodwill Industries in Florida and executive director of Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens (UPARC). In 2011 he relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah to continue his fight with cancer with support from the cancer program at Intermountain Medical Center and enjoyed four additional unexpected high quality years with reasonable health and vitality. He attended Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City where he received much support and wonderful friendships, proclaiming his time singing with the choir to be one of his greatest pleasures.

Jim’s family was the love and joy of his life. He experienced wonderful family adventures on annual summer vacations at his cottage in northern Michigan in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and continued his hobbies of boating and fishing after relocating to Florida. He was a licensed private pilot and enjoyed hunting, reading, and traveling in all 50 states as well as overseas. After graduating from Southeastern High School in Detroit, Michigan, he earned a B.A. degree from Olivet University in Kankakee, IL, and an MTh degree from Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Jim is survived by his two daughters, Susan (John) Hanks and Brenda Harpe, two step-daughter’s Pam Fentress and Connie Eddy, brother David Leach, sister Jean Behr, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara Leach, his sister Ruth Leach, brother Donald Leach, daughter Carol Simpson, and grandchild John Wall.

Jim was well loved and appreciated by many people. His love of God and service to others brought an extra measure of light to this world and he will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, May 11th at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2500 East 3900 South, Salt Lake. Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 9th from 5 pm to 7 pm at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake and also from 10:30 am – 11:00 am on Monday, May 11th at Our Saviour’s, just prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Mt Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ELCA Disaster Response Fund.