Star Staff Reports
Earlier this month the city of Millington and surrounding areas were rocked by the passing of Eugene Leech at the age of 87.
Eugene Huston Leech passed away peacefully June 19 surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 1, 1936 in Brooklyn, Ark., to Stanley and Mildred Leech. In 1958 he married his bride of 65 years, Ola Ruth Smith Leech. They raised and loved three children.
Leech retired from the United States Navy after 20 years of service. After he retired from the Navy he worked at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis for 22 years, retiring in 1998. In retirement he enjoyed his life as a grandfather and a great-grandfather. He was known also as Leech Daddy.
He was a faithful member of Calvary Chapel on the Millington Naval Base where he served in numerous capacities. He was a long standing member of the Millington Senior Citizens Group, where he served as vice president for many years.
Leech led the Millington Senior Exercise class at Baker Community Center for many years and he was a member and past Second Vice President of the American Legion. It was there where he headed up their annual Memorial Remembrance Day. He spearheaded the annual Good ole Boys picnic which included many veterans of military service.
Mr. Leech was a member and past Chaplain of the Fleet Reserve and a member of the Millington Kiwanis Club. He faithfully attended weekly City of Millington meetings from the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to the Industrial Development Board many years. The City of Millington honored him with a key to the city and a proclamation of Eugene and Ola Ruth Leech Day.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Mildred Leech, and two sisters-in-law, Wanda Leech and Joyce Leech. He is survived by his wife, Ola Ruth Smith Leech; one son, Robert (Tyann) Leech of Birmingham, Ala.; daughters Janet (Mike) Easter of Rossville, and Sharon (James) Lenagar of Munford; three brothers, Wayne Leech, Harold Leech and Hershel Leech; one sister Celia Leech (Ray) Biehslich; eight grandchildren Kyle (Ashley) Simpson, Rachel Lenagar (Jason) Morris, Katherine Lenagar (Mark) Byrd, Sydney Simpson, David Leech, Abbey Lenagar (Luke) Waits, Austin (Anna) Lenagar, Rebecca Leech; and seven great grandchildren.
The family received friends at the Munford Funeral Home, Millington Chapel on Friday. The Celebration of Life with Military Honors was held at the Munford Funeral Home, Millington Chapel on Saturday. He was buried at the Trinity Cemetery in Nutbush. Family requests memorials to be made to Trinity Cemetery Association (c/o Janet Willis), 437 Preston Place Drive, Brownsville, TN 38012 or Antioch Baptist Church, 9327 Tibbs Road, Brownsville, TN 38012 or any organization of the donor’s choice.
