| Notes |
Died:
- Obituary
MICHAEL C. LEONARD (9-13-1946 to 9-27-2000)
Michael Leonard, 54, died Sept. 27, 2000, in Colorado Springs, CO. He was a former Colorado Springs police officer and a captain at the Department of Corrections in Buena Vista. He was self-employed. He served in the Marines for two years and was a Vietnam veteran.
Mike was born Sept. 13, 1946, in La Junta, CO. to Warren E. and Annabelle C. (Hyrup) Leonard. His father is deceased. He was married July 29, 1983, to Bernice A. Abila.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Casey Michael and Toby Warren; one daughter, Michele Lee; his mother; two brothers, Warren and Thomas; and three sisters, Joanna Metz, Vicki Smith and Roxi Graham.
Mike always tried to be “peace maker” and was the “rock” for his siblings and his family; he was a true "big brother", a father figure, plus a role model.
A memorial service was held at the Sunnyside Christian Church, 2025 N. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. Burial (cremation) was at the Evergreen Cemetery.
The following is a “eulogy” that the family wrote and Warren read at Mike’s funeral services:
Mike was truly a special person. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, and a friend. We laughed with him, loved with him, and even fought with him. Right or wrong, he had only one way of doing things – hard and fast! There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for someone that he cared about. When he felt that a loved one was in trouble, he was always there to lend a helping hand. And when the battle lines were drawn, you always felt better just knowing that he was there by your side. He was a true warrior.
Mike meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people. He had an impact on everyone he touched. Some he touched a little harder than others. No matter who it was, he always seemed to leave them with a smile and the feeling that they had someone they could count on if the times got rough.
He had the gift of gab, thus he never meet a stranger. He always seemed to have a joke or story for whatever the occasion. He had a way with words that no one could match. He loved to make people laugh, even at his own expense. When he would tell a story, he kept you hanging on to each word. Even when you knew his story was stretching the truth a little, it didn’t really matter because you were laughing so hard it hurt. And when he finished the story, he would look you right in the eye and swear that was the way it actually happened.
Next to his family, Mike’s greatest passion was the rodeo. He wasn’t the world’s best rider or best roper, but that didn’t really matter, he just enjoyed being a part of it. He loved the speed of the horses, the clanging of the cowbells, and the smell of it all.
Mike didn’t share a lot of himself, even with the ones closest to him. He kept his vulnerabilities hidden and had his own way of showing love. It wasn’t always open and visible. Most often it was just his presence of being there, through a hug, a smile, or a tear.
Nor did he really share much of what he was thinking. He would give little bits and pieces, but then would look away as if the rest really didn’t matter. Mike took no quarter but was always willing to give. He rarely said he was sorry or apologized for what he said or did, that just wasn’t Mike’s way!
It is hard to understand and accept that a rock like Mike could fall. He was a proud man, sometimes even to a fault. There was no greater pride than what he had for his daughter Michele, and especially his two sons, Casey Michael and Toby Warren, and the mother who carried them. We will all miss him.
I say to Mike now - Get on, nod your head, and dig in your spurs. Look out God, cowboy up!
- Other family memories of Mike -
Aunt Jeanne Mays says
Mike used to run up to our house from his police car and just come in and it would drive the neighbor lady nuts. He always hit the siren just enough for her to hear it. She was so nosey and wanted to know every thing that every one was doing. Mike would have a cup of coffee
and be on his way.
Onnalee Harrell says
I wish I could have know Mike better, but I do remember how caring and consoling he was to others. I remember an incident that happened at their father’s (Warren) funeral. I was trying to just get out of the church so my family and I could leave. Mike immediately, upon seeing me, knew that something was wrong. He quickly came to me and gave me a big hug and had so many expressions of love towards my family and me. He was truly amazing, as we had not seen each other since we were
children. His love, concern, understanding and his ability to be a peace maker will always be remembered by me.
- The following is a poem written by Mike and made into a plaque.
The Wall is Black
Doesn’t it seem odd
That the wall is black
That identifies those
Who never came back.
Does it mean a damn thing
That the wall is low
Amid all those others
That tower and glow.
Often I have thought
That perhaps I should see
Those names of those
Who died – instead of me.
It has got to be hard
For those that care
To come, to endure and
To feel and stare.
All that they gave
And the price that was paid
Will forever be unknown
To those that stayed.
For those that struggled
And clawed and bled
Can never be likened
To those that fled.
I do not judge those
Who refused to fight
Perhaps they now live
Maybe wrong, maybe right.
I think I can say
For those that fought
It wasn’t a great wall
Of marble they sought.
All that was ever wanted
Was that damn war to be
A cause that was worthy
For you and for me.
Then welcome back home
Those who managed to live
By pointing a righteous finger
At things that they did.
I don’t think that I
Need ever go see
All the sad memories
Reflecting back at me.
Perhaps maybe much later
When our babies have grown tall
Will there ever again be a need
Of such a black wall.
Written in memory of all
Those warriors, BOTH
American and Vietnamese.
M. C. Leonard
January, 1988
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1946 - 2000 (54 years)