I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Joe Means Leonard III was born October 25, 1944. Joe departed this life to be with Jesus on June 12, 2024. His time here with us molded him as a child of God, a wonderful son, a believer in Christ, a big brother, a friend, loving husband, doting father and MoJoe, Navy officer, war veteran, community servant, church member, and fisherman.
A service to celebrate Joe's life will be held on Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 P.M. at United Presbyterian Church, 5905 Stonewall Street,
Greenville, Texas with Dr. Bryan Stamper and Pastor Mike O'Neil officiating. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joe grew up in Gainesville, Texas the son of Joe Means Leonard, Jr. and Mary Sue Davis Leonard. His great grandfather was the founder of the Gainesville Daily Register and his father founded KGAF Radio Station. He was nurtured by wonderful parents, and his grandparents lived close by and had a strong influence on his life. He had a deep abiding faith in God and lived by his Christian values.
When answering the question ''What things do you think you cannot live without?'' in his Storyworth book his responses were:
''My Christian faith inspires me and gives hope for the future life.
Also, the love of my family and the friends that I have made throughout my life. I was blessed with wonderful grandparents, a mother and father that taught me to have faith in God and seek His wisdom. My sisters, my wife, in-laws , son, daughter and their families have been a source of great joy to me. Also, I have a multitude of friends that bring me happiness.''
Joe had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Unique and very intelligent would be adjectives many would use to describe Joe.
Joe graduated from Gainesville High School in 1962. He was the captain of his football team. Joe was honored with the first Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004 by the Gainesville High School Alumni Association.
Joe attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1966. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Upon graduating he worked for a year in Dallas and then joined the US Navy and went to Officer Candidate School. He served in Vietnam aboard the USS Manley DD-940 as the anti-submarine warfare officer. When he finished his service in the Navy he returned to the University of Texas in 1970 to attend law school.
In 1971 Joe married Sharon Hackney, daughter of Leo and Dava Hackney of Greenville, Texas.
After initially practicing law in Dallas Joe and Sharon moved to Greenville, Texas where he joined Jack Hart law firm. After 1983 he spent the rest of his career serving the citizens of Hunt County as:
Hunt County Attorney 1983
Judge Hunt County Court at Law 1984-1994
Judge 196th District Judge 1995-2010
As a judge, Joe helped countless people in all walks of life and was respected as someone who had great integrity. Many people thanked him for the direction he gave them, even some he sent to prison, who later found a better path in life. The happiest part of serving as District Judge was helping families adopt children. For several years he hosted Christmas dinners for children in foster care. He helped CASA become a reality in Hunt County.
Joe was a member of the Greenville Lions Club for 40+ years and served as President.
He was an Elder and Sunday school teacher at United Presbyterian Church. He was an active participant in all of the outreach missions of the church. He served on the board of Goodland Academy for several years.
He was active with the Boy Scouts of America and took 9 local boys on the 60 mile hike at Camp Philmont Scout Ranch. Many summers he went to Boy Scout camp with his son Dan, who later became an Eagle Scout. His hobbies were fishing, music, traveling, being with family and friends.
His greatest accomplishment was raising two wonderful children, Dan and Rachel.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sharon, and by his son Dan Leonard and wife Kimberly, his daughter Rachel Cisneros and her husband Tony. His beloved grandchildren are Isaac and Nate Cisneros and Zach and Elizabeth Leonard. They loved their MoJoe and he always made sure they knew how much he loved them. He loved his two sisters, Susanne Beard and Jan Stamper, her husband, Bryan, and his sister-in-law, Susan Rath and her husband Jim and many wonderful nieces and nephews and their children. Joe also adored his rescued dog, BeBe.
Joe loved nature and spent many happy hours outdoors either fishing, walking or riding his bike.
He enjoyed teaching all his grandchildren and others how to fish. Joe taught himself how to fly fish and loved being in beautiful rivers all across America to fish. Another hobby was making CDs of favorite songs as gifts for his many friends. He had a vast knowledge of music and loved listening to all genre of music. Joe was a very generous person, always finding ways to help others, either by volunteering or giving to others. Joe will be deeply missed and never forgotten by the many whose lives he touched and whose lives were made better by being associated with him personally, professionally, and through his quiet generosity. He was uncommonly loved and respected by his family and friends.
The family wishes to thank our friend and physician, Dr. Howard Kweller, caregiver Emily Broussard, and Hospice Nurse, Amy Landers and all of Family First Hospice for their excellent service and care for Joe.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Joe you may donate to his church, United Presbyterian 5905 Stonewall, Greenville, Texas 75402 or reach out and help someone in need.
Condolences(10)
Joe and Kathy Weis
Heath, TX Thursday, June 20, 2024 Sharon: We are so sorry for the loss of Joe. He was a truly great man. It was our pleasure to have known him and be in his company for these many years.Love, Joe and Kathy
Nita Rawlings
Greenville, TX Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Sharon, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Judge was an honorable man, dedicated to the law with the wisdom, strength and compassion to make good decisions for each case before him. Judge also had a great sense of humor, loved a good story, and was always ready for a good laugh.My favorite Judge Leonard story: A young man stood before him who had been involved in a love triangle that ended in him allegedly shooting another man. Judge was reading the charges, asking questions for clarification as he read. He looked at the young man and said, "So this happened on a Sunday morning?" ' Yes sir," said the young man. Judge looked him in the eyes and said, "You know this never would have happened if you had been in church."
Cheri Neil
MCKINNEY, TX Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Darling Sharon,I am so saddened to hear of Joe’s death, and heartbroken for you and your family.
Let the love that you and Joe created together surround you and comfort you.
Cheri
Lance Martin
Waco, TX Tuesday, June 18, 2024 My deepest condolences to Sharon and the Leonard family. As a very young reporter, I remember making rounds at the courthouse and that would take me to Joe's courtroom to pick up a list of the day's cases from the court clerk. One day I walked into the empty courtroom and made my way up to the clerk's desk to pick up the list and from out of nowhere, a stern voice barked, "Remove your cap in the court!" It was Judge Leonard, correcting this young, long-haired kid on proper decorum, even when court was not in session. He certainly made a lasting impression. It was in such contrast to the always pleasant and smiling Sharon, whom I knew from frequently writing stories around the community. In time, I figured out that was the professional side of Joe and that in his personal life, he was not really that gruff. The Leonards have contributed so much to Greenville and Hunt County. I have great respect for him and the mark he left on his community.Tom and Mary Ann Darte
GREENVILLE, TX Monday, June 17, 2024 Sharon , we are deeply saddened to hear of your loss of Joe who served the community so well for so many years-a real pillar of the community. Our thoughts and prayers will be for him and you and family .Bonnie Lynch Evans
Dallas, TX Sunday, June 16, 2024 Sharon your loss is felt among the community of Joe’s friends. I met you a few times at our Gainesville combined class reunions. You made a beautiful and loving couple. I am at a loss for words to comfort you. I experienced this grief 7 years ago and after reading so many heartfelt messages about loosing my soul mate, it was only the memories that I could place solace in.May God bless you, Dan and Rachel ❤️
Bonnie Lynch Evans
Dallas, TX Sunday, June 16, 2024 Sharon your loss is felt among the community of Joe’s friends. I met you a few times at our Gainesville combined class reunions. You made a beautiful and loving couple. I am at a loss for words to comfort you. I experienced this grief 7 years ago and after reading so many heartfelt messages about loosing my soul mate, it was only the memories that I could place solace in.May God bless you, Dan and Rachel ❤️
Bonnie Lynch Evans
Dallas, TX Sunday, June 16, 2024 Sharon your loss is felt among the community of Joe’s friends. I met you a few times at our Gainesville combined class reunions. You made a beautiful and loving couple. I am at a loss for words to comfort you. I experienced this grief 7 years ago and after reading so many heartfelt messages about loosing my soul mate, it was only the memories that I could place solace in.May God bless you, Dan and Rachel ❤️
Bonnie Lynch Evans
Dallas, TX Sunday, June 16, 2024 Sharon your loss is felt among the community of Joe’s friends. I met you a few times at our Gainesville combined class reunions. You made a beautiful and loving couple. I am at a loss for words to comfort you. I experienced this grief 7 years ago and after reading so many heartfelt messages about loosing my soul mate, it was only the memories that I could place solace in.May God bless you, Dan and Rachel ❤️
Joe and Cathy Bobbitt
Royse City, TX Friday, June 14, 2024 Sharon we are so sorry to hear about the loss of Joe. Our deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. He will always be remembered as a very good man. Joe was always honored and respected by the community. It is a honor to have known him and you.