Jim Leonard
April 21, 1938 ~ April 21, 2022
James Michael Leonard of Cedar Rapids, passed away on his 84th birthday. He was born April 21, 1938 to Joe and Irene Leonard of Solon, Iowa. Everyone is welcome to a celebration of life, Sunday, May 29, 2022, 1:30-4:30 pm, at Edith Lucielle's, 6913 Mt. Vernon Road SE.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara; five children, Kandis, Robin, Shawn, Roni, and Valari; four grandchildren, Rumer, Rane, Raleigh, and Jasmin; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Larry and Dennis; and nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Elaine.
Jim moved to Cedar Rapids from Solon and started his lifelong career in auto sales at Town's Edge Toyota of Marion. He eventually began his own business, Lincoln Heights Auto, located at 4600 Mt Vernon Road SE, in the 1970's. Jim had many interests and hobbies which he pursued with great passion. He was instrumental in bringing Motocross and snowmobile racing to Eastern Iowa, and was also involved in auto racing at Hawkeye Downs. Jim's love of horses started early, and he was a team penning champion in the area. He loved boating and fishing with friends and was also an avid pool player, participating on local bar teams and in tournaments.
Jim was very well known and had many friends. He always had a smile on his face and a positive outlook. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
A limb has truly fallen from the family tree. We love you and miss you Papa.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Jim was an exceptional individual!! I and many others respected and admired him greatly. My sincere condolences to Jim’s family. The world has lost great man!! Respectfully, Chuck Elias
I am John Leonard, a second cousin of Jim’s. Our Leonard grandfathers were brothers and my father, John, and Jim’s father Joe, were first cousins. Our families visited back and forth and I remember Jim as a small boy. My sympathy to the family. I had occasions to visit with JIm upon returning to Iowa. Age [91] and some health issues will prevent my attending the memorial services. I have good memories of my cousin.
I knew Jim from working together on a Butler grain bin building crew in Illinois in the Summer of ’56. As I recall he seemed to really like me and I liked him as well. Jim Highly, Fairfax
Jim was one of a kind. I remember nights of playing pool with him and he would alway give me a razz about “you know tonight is my turn to win because I let you win last week”. He even came up with a nickname for me which was “ Richie Twitchy” because of how I shot in pool so I had my license plates customized to say TWITCHY just for him and he got suck a kick out of that. Now I will remember this great man every time I look at them. Jim you were a great friend and my family will miss you dearly. Fly high jimbo until we meet again.
He was a great man with lots of stories,that I loved to listen to . Love Tracy and Jason Schonberg , Jays Auto Glass.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Leonard family. Our family’s shared so many wonder memories together. We lived across the alley from each other for many years, we hug our at each other’s homes, had sleep overs, road mini bikes up and down the alley, we all went to school together, shared many memories from Towns Edge Toyota and our parents were very good friends. We will always cherish all the great times together and May Jim’s memories be eternal. The Farah family