Jay "Lee" Leonard

Jay Leeson “Lee” Leonard, 85, passed away on January 28, 2025. Lee was born on November 22, 1939 in Summit, New Jersey to the late Ellis and Alice (Brown) Leonard. He was also preceded in death by his infant brother, Dwight Leonard.

Lee graduated from Ithaca High School in Ithaca, NY and then went on to attend Cornell University. After attending Middlebury College in Vermont and serving in the US Army Lee graduated from Cornell University in 1963 to became a Political Reporter for United Press International and then The Columbus Dispatch.

He was the author of two books; A Columnist’s View of Capitol Square and James Rhodes: Ohio Colossus. No journalist covered the Statehouse as long and as faithfully as Lee and his columns provided some of the best reads for review in almost four decades of politics in Ohio.

Lee is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Leonard; son, Douglas P. Leonard; daughter, Valerie (Greg) Williams; grandson, Daniel J. Williams.

His family will receive friends on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 5 to 8:00pm at the Reynoldsburg Community Church, 1636 Graham Rd. Reynoldsburg, OH as well as on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 10 to 11:00am where his memorial service will be held at 11:00am with Pastor Bill Weaver officiating.

Lee was a 56 year member of the Reynoldsburg Community Church, and the family suggests memorial donations in his memory to the Reynoldsburg Community Church, or the Mid Ohio Food Bank.

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