James “Jim” Leonard
March 3rd, 1940 - January 16th, 2025
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Jim's Obituary
James Allen Leonard went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 16, 2025, after a short illness, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph with family by his side.
Jim was born in Benton Harbor, MI on March 3, 1940, the eldest child of Anne and Nate. Jim spent his high school years in Hartford, MI, excelling on the basketball court. After graduating from Hartford High School, Jim spent two years in the Navy. Jim married his first wife, Norma, on Nov 3, 1962. Norma died in 1974 at the age of 33.
Jim was introduced to Kathy Melton on July 13, 1975. Kathy’s husband, Don Melton, had died on Jan 1, 1974, and Kathy was raising 3 children on her own. Despite the challenges of inheriting an instant family, Jim married Kathy on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1975 in Deerfield, IL. The newly combined family then relocated to St. Joseph, MI where Jim and Kathy spent the next 47 years together until Kathy’s death on November 28, 2022.
Jim had a variety of jobs in his life, including working in the finishing department at the Watervliet Paper Company (during which he obtained an engineering degree from Western Michigan University), industrial engineering at LECO, and selling insurance. One of Jim’s favorite jobs was being the personal driver for executives at All-Phase Electric; in that role, Jim was able to combine his love of driving with his natural ability to have meaningful conversations with anyone, anytime. But for more than 35 years, Jim was a licensed realtor in southwest Michigan where he was able to make full use of his servant’s heart, always going above and beyond to help people find the perfect house.
One of Jim’s particular passions was helping others develop and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ. To that end, he started the first Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Men’s class in St. Joseph. He impacted countless lives during more than 15 years of service in BSF, split between being the teaching leader of the class and being an Area Advisor overseeing classes throughout the region. He also taught Sunday School to children at The Chapel for many years. The spiritual heritage that Jim left behind will have an impact for generations.
Of the many hats that he wore in life, the role that never failed to bring Jim joy was being ‘Papa’ to his nine grandchildren and, recently, one great-granddaughter. As Papa, Jim was equally adept at playing games, telling jokes, or quizzing on trivia as he was offering Biblical wisdom, sage advice, and genuine encouragement. He loved his grandchildren deeply, and they adored him.
Jim is survived by his children, Tim (Deb) Melton, Sheryl Moerdyk, and Todd (Noelle) Melton; grandchildren, Emma (Segun) Melton; David Moerdyk, Ellie (Kyle) Wood; Payton, Lauren, Wyatt, Ian, and Ember Melton; great-granddaughter, Annie Wood; longtime friend of Kathy and Jim, MaryAnn Lulenski; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy; his first wife, Norma; parents, Nate and Anne; brother, Frank; grandson, Sam Melton; and niece, Susan Crowe.
Friends may visit with the family on Monday, January 20, from 4-6pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at The Chapel, 4250 Washington Ave, St. Joseph on Tuesday, January 21, at 1:30pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Bible Study Fellowship, 19001 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX USA 78258
Jim was born in Benton Harbor, MI on March 3, 1940, the eldest child of Anne and Nate. Jim spent his high school years in Hartford, MI, excelling on the basketball court. After graduating from Hartford High School, Jim spent two years in the Navy. Jim married his first wife, Norma, on Nov 3, 1962. Norma died in 1974 at the age of 33.
Jim was introduced to Kathy Melton on July 13, 1975. Kathy’s husband, Don Melton, had died on Jan 1, 1974, and Kathy was raising 3 children on her own. Despite the challenges of inheriting an instant family, Jim married Kathy on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1975 in Deerfield, IL. The newly combined family then relocated to St. Joseph, MI where Jim and Kathy spent the next 47 years together until Kathy’s death on November 28, 2022.
Jim had a variety of jobs in his life, including working in the finishing department at the Watervliet Paper Company (during which he obtained an engineering degree from Western Michigan University), industrial engineering at LECO, and selling insurance. One of Jim’s favorite jobs was being the personal driver for executives at All-Phase Electric; in that role, Jim was able to combine his love of driving with his natural ability to have meaningful conversations with anyone, anytime. But for more than 35 years, Jim was a licensed realtor in southwest Michigan where he was able to make full use of his servant’s heart, always going above and beyond to help people find the perfect house.
One of Jim’s particular passions was helping others develop and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ. To that end, he started the first Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Men’s class in St. Joseph. He impacted countless lives during more than 15 years of service in BSF, split between being the teaching leader of the class and being an Area Advisor overseeing classes throughout the region. He also taught Sunday School to children at The Chapel for many years. The spiritual heritage that Jim left behind will have an impact for generations.
Of the many hats that he wore in life, the role that never failed to bring Jim joy was being ‘Papa’ to his nine grandchildren and, recently, one great-granddaughter. As Papa, Jim was equally adept at playing games, telling jokes, or quizzing on trivia as he was offering Biblical wisdom, sage advice, and genuine encouragement. He loved his grandchildren deeply, and they adored him.
Jim is survived by his children, Tim (Deb) Melton, Sheryl Moerdyk, and Todd (Noelle) Melton; grandchildren, Emma (Segun) Melton; David Moerdyk, Ellie (Kyle) Wood; Payton, Lauren, Wyatt, Ian, and Ember Melton; great-granddaughter, Annie Wood; longtime friend of Kathy and Jim, MaryAnn Lulenski; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy; his first wife, Norma; parents, Nate and Anne; brother, Frank; grandson, Sam Melton; and niece, Susan Crowe.
Friends may visit with the family on Monday, January 20, from 4-6pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at The Chapel, 4250 Washington Ave, St. Joseph on Tuesday, January 21, at 1:30pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Bible Study Fellowship, 19001 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX USA 78258
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