Deacon Leonard James Peavy Jr Obituary (1949

Leonard James Peavy, Jr. was born June 24th, 1949 to Doris C (Thomas) and James Peavy, Sr. in Des Moines, Iowa. Leonard grew up on Des Moines' southside with his sisters, Suzanne, Sandra and Tonya and brother, Darrell. Good natured and mannerable he was always a nice guy who looked out for the younger kids. Leonard attended and graduated from North High School where he was a member of the wrestling team. He was part of a national team that was one win away from qualifying for an Olympic berth. He furthered his education by attending Long Beach State University, but he graduated from Graceland College, in Lamoni, with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education. He was a lifelong learner, obtaining various certifications in other areas. He was employed as a substitute teacher, Security and surveillance technician, drug and rehab counsellor and he was even a professional football player for one game with the San Diego Chargers. Leonard was very competitive. He often said, "If you keep score or count it, it's competition and somebody has to win." That included wrestling, fishing, monopoly or jumping rope; it all became sport. Leonard coached little league teams for years and loved taking on the underdog teams and leading them to victory. He was an avid fisherman. A real fisherman; you didn't do a bunch of talking on the bank to scare the fish. It wasn't a picnic so no bunch of crunchy snacks were allowed. If you came along to fish-that's what you did. Leonard loved to cook and his fried chicken was the BEST! He was also an accomplished baker. Leonard loved the Lord and served him as a Deacon at Mt. Olive for many years. He was a former chair of the Deacon's Board, also. He not only invited people to church, he took his grandkids at every opportunity. He sang in the Men's Chorus and was there on Sunday's to open the doors. On October 6, 2015, Leonard answered the Master's call to rest. He was 66 years old. Waiting to welcome him home were his dad, Leonard Sr.; his grandmother, Alpha Omega Peavy; his nephew Justin and his brothers in law, Lonnie and Major and his mother in law Christine Stewart. Left to cherish Leonard's memory are his wife, Ernestine; his children, Tracy (Min. Tyrone) Riley, Tamara, Tonika and Leonard (Shanell) Peavy III and Trenika Stewart; his siblings, Shepherdess Suzanne O Holmes, Tonya Howe, Sandra Peavy and Darrell Peavy Sr.; his brothers in law, Andrew Gelvely, Kenneth (Lily) and Raff Stewart; his sisters in law, Betty Harris and Helen Stewart; his God child, Marjarlyn Stewart and God grandchild, Leonard Peavy IV; 19 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends. Cemetery Details Glendale Cemetery IA, Visitation OCT 11. 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home 3500 Sixth Avenue Des Moines, IA, US, 50313 info@hendersonhighlandparkfuneralhome.com http://www.hendersonhighlandparkfuneralhome.com Funeral Service OCT 12. 12:00 PM Mt. Olive Baptist Church 3100 -2nd Avenue Des Moines, IA, US