NATCHEZ — Jack Douglas Leake Sr., 75, of Crosby, died peacefully at his family’s home in Possum Corner Wednesday, July 29, 2009, surrounded by family members.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. John A. O’Halloran, S.S.J., officiating.
Burial will follow at the Leake Family Cemetery on Possum Corner Road in Crosby under the direction of Webb Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time today at the church.
Mr. Leake was the seventh son born to Thad and Rose Sanders Leake of Crosby. He was a welder with International Paper Company for 37 years, from which he was retired. Welding brought out the art in Jack. He created beautiful railings, balconies and gates throughout Natchez at many churches and antebellum homes, including Holy Family Catholic Church. He created the gates in front of the Holy Ghost Sisters Convent. He once said that he couldn’t draw very well, but once he had an idea in his head, the welding would bring his vision to life. He loved hunting, fishing and was a lifelong farmer. He was a man of many talents, loved by his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers, Hardie, Robert and Paul, all of Crosby, Bonnie of Detroit and Thad Leake Jr., of Natchez.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 53 years, Bessie Webb Leake; one brother, Philip Leake of Natchez; seven children, Yvonne and husband, Ralph, of Burbank, Calif., Douglas and wife, Jackie, of Sunset, La., Jack Jr. and wife, Tammy, of Plaquemine, La., Thomas and wife, Neta, of Zachary, La., Jeffrey and wife, Tina, of Pace, Fla., Paul and wife, Sharon, of Natchez and Claudette and husband, Mike, of Gonzales, La.; and 14 grandchildren, Alicia, Cristina, Francesca, Elizabeth, Marika, Triandafylia, Austin, Isabella, Michael, Lisa, Kyle, Paul II, Scarlett and Saylor.
The Leake family would like to thank the staff and doctors at Natchez Regional Medical Center, Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, staff of Stay-Home Health and Hospice, Natchez Radiology Service, National Infusion Services and Quality Home Oxygen, Inc.
The family would like also to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, cards, visits and other acts of kindness shown during his illness and upon his death.