John Harold Leach

John Harold Leach, age 86, of Wellington Place in Johnson City, died June 18, 2007, at his residence. Harold was a lifelong resident of Johnson City. He was the son of the late Porter Paris and Margaret Huskins Leach. He was preceded in death by a brother, James Kyle Leach, and a sister, Lucille Leach Gough. Harold was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. Harold, along with his brother, Kyle, owned and operated Leach Motor Company for over 35 years. They received the Dealer Merit Award as one of the oldest American Motor Jeep Dealers in the United States. As the premier Jeep dealer in the area, Harold formed the East Tennessee 4-Wheelers Club. With a passion for music, Harold served as the volunteer music director at Tacoma Church of God in his early years, and then later at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. He received recognition from the Veterans Administration for his hours of service, providing volunteer choirs for Sunday night singing. Harold sang in several gospel quartets throughout his life. His quartet, The Melody Men, appeared regularly on local radio and television. Harold loved barbershop music, as well, and sang several years with the Song Masters. In 1984, he formed the Musical Voices choir at the Johnson City Senior Citizens Center, frequently performing at area churches. Harold and his wife, Betty, enjoyed square dancing with the Johnson City Grand Squares and trailer camping with friends. He was an avid golfer, organizing foursomes until his early 80s. In 1963, Harold headed the league champion, Leach Motor Company bowling team. He also loved bird watching, gardening, and family traditions. Never meeting a stranger, Harolds trademark was his sense of humor and friendly disposition. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Ann 'Betty'? Fox Leach; two sons, John Jerome Leach and wife Phyllis of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Brent Tyler Leach and wife Amanda of Johnson City; one daughter, Jana Leach Williams and husband Jim of Johnson City; nine grandchildren, Kimberly Leach Monroe and husband Ken of Gastonia, North Carolina; John Eric Leach of New York City; Jarrod Bradley Leach and wife Suzy of Greensboro, North Carolina; James 'Jay'? Julian Williams of Atlanta, Georgia; Justin Fredrick Williams of Johnson City; Jana Elizabeth Williams of Nashville, Tennessee; Andrew Tyler Leach, Jonathan Brent Leach, and Holden Barrett Leach of Johnson City; and five great-grandchildren, Coleman Sutton Monroe, Meredith Lorraine Monroe of Gastonia, North Carolina; Lucianna Susan Leach, Alexandra Pamela Leach, and Lilianna Bradley Leach of Greensboro, North Carolina; two nieces, Gayle Leach Heaton of Elizabethton, Tennessee and Joanna Gough Lee of Springfield, Missouri; and one nephew, Joseph Gregory Leach of Wilmington, North Carolina. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Wellington Place and Adventa Hospice for their exceptional care.