John D. Leonard
- September 5, 2023
John D. Leonard
Marion
John D. Leonard, 92, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Sept. 2, 2023.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4330 St. Patrick Dr., Iowa City, Iowa. Burial will be at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Nolan Settlement, followed by a luncheon in the chapel at St. Bridget’s.
John was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on Nov. 17, 1930, the son of John S. and Loretta (Maher) Leonard. He grew up on a farm and was 10 years old when his family first got electricity. John remembered coming home that day from school and turning on the lights.
He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Iowa City in 1948 and attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1952. John began at Notre Dame “back when we won every football game,” he quipped. He was a lifelong Fighting Irish fan.
Following service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, John attended The University of Denver receiving his MBA degree in 1955. In 1964, he married Sue Ihinger in San Francisco.
John served as a commercial banker with Bank of America in California for 38 years, from 1955 until 1993, retiring as a vice president of the bank. He held branch and administrative positions throughout California, including assignments in San Francisco. John’s placements were centered in lending and administrative duties in the credit field. During his banking career, John held leadership positions in a variety of professional, community, and service-related organizations including serving as a Rotary Club president. He taught business courses in the night school program of the California Junior College system.
He enjoyed traveling and toured widely within America and throughout the world, visiting all seven continents and 85 countries, keeping a detailed log and photos of his journeys. Following his retirement, John served as a volunteer banking consultant on several overseas assignments. Participating in family activities was a favorite pastime, including attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events, dance recitals, and birthdays. John was a voracious reader and enjoyed playing poker, bridge, and hearts.
In 2003, John returned to his home state of Iowa from Santa Rosa, Calif., locating in Marion to be nearer to his daughter and his three grandchildren. John was a devoted and beloved grandfather. He took each grandchild on special trips, including an Alaskan cruise, Niagara Falls, and the horse country of Kentucky.
Survivors include his son, Matthew of San Ramon, Calif.; his daughter, Nancy Owen of Marion, Iowa; three grandchildren, David, Isabel and John; eight nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Vincent, and sister Irene Jedlicka.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Friends of St. Bridget’s Foundation, 5339 Morse Rd., NE, Iowa City, IA 52240.
Online condolences and memories of John can be shared with his family at www.lensingfuneral.com.
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