Dec. 15, 1927-May 28, 2015

 

James J. Leach, 87, of Cassopolis, died Thursday, May 28, 2015, in his residence.

Jim was born in 1927, while his parents Winfield and Mabel (Bonine) were wintering in Florida. He married Madelyn Deming in 1950. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Richard, Sarah Pickens, Barton and Elwood, and his wonderful wife.

Jim will be greatly missed by his family: his four children: Lawrence, David (Esther), Diane, and Roger (Tanya); by four grandchildren: Jimmy (Kacie), Angie (Joey) Sobieski, Jonathan and Anna Leach; by three great-grandchildren: Lane and Landon Leach, and Colton Sobieski; and by nine nieces and 12 nephews and their children.

Jim enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports and enjoyed spending time with his dogs. He also enjoyed watching the Indianapolis 500 and other Indy and NASCAR car races, television westerns like The Rifleman and game shows like Wheel of Fortune. He was famous for making sure the grandchildren always had on warm socks and they knew he could fix any broken toy car or tractor. He enjoyed planting potatoes and taking care of his big weed-free garden.

Fifteen years ago after the death of his wife, Jim had a 4 a.m. talk with the Lord which changed his life. In the morning he said, “You know God really is real!” That talk with the Lord made him a new person.
Jim lived on the Centennial family farm and was the fourth generation to farm the same land. As a young man, Jim attended Michigan State University and took a popular agricultural course. He was also an electrician and worked for his brother Elwood with Leach Electric and later for Rudy Manufacturing/Sundstrand in Dowagiac.

Jim served in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He was an electrician stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado and in Germany. Madelyn and Jim really enjoyed their time in Colorado and Germany.
After retirement, Jim was a volunteer dishwasher with the Cass County Council on Aging for four years and had his own lunchtime table space in the dining room.

Jim has read through the whole Bible and became involved in his church. He received awards for helping at Cass Fellowship Bible Church summer Day Camp and for being the Oldest Student’ at Penn Friends Community Church summer Bible School.

A memorial service will be held at Penn Friends Community Church on Friday, June 5, 2015. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with a memorial service to follow beginning at 7.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Jim’s name to either the Cass County Council On Aging, PO Box 5, Cassopolis, MI 49031 or Penn Friends Community Church, 19107 Quaker St., Cassopolis, Michigan 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.