Leonard Jack Sr

As the sun rose, the angels of GOD sang and praised his holy name, then was given the command to collect the soul of one of his faithful and humble servants. On the morning of October 24, 2022, Leonard Jack Sr. passed away from his earthly bound body at his home in Concord, CA. of natural causes. Leonard Jack was born on June 8,1933 to Austin Jack and Laurencia Edwards near the town of Opelousas in St. Landry parish, Louisiana. He was delivered by his maternal grandmother, a community midwife and reared on his grandparents’ farm. As a child, he was baptized and raised in the Catholic Faith, but later in life became a Baptist and joined St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. J. Jones. Leonard’s mother later married Morris Semien who assisted in raising young Leonard into manhood. Leonard now nicknamed “Chole Jack,” was the oldest of fourteen siblings. As a child he attended the Plaisance school which was a one room shack that taught K-12 all in one classroom. At the age of 13, he dropped out of school and began working on his grandfather’s tobacco farm in Washington, LA. Additionally on the weekends, he worked at a milk dairy in Point Bleu, LA. After fathering two (2) children (Ezolia & Kirby) as a very young man, Leonard began a serious and committed relationship with Ethel Rideau Fontenot of Ville Platte, LA. The young couple settled in the Belaire Cove community and worked as sharecroppers. Through their union they brought forth eight children: five boys and three girls. The young father of ten moved his family to the old Creole French town of Ville Platte. He supported them by working part-time at a local slaughterhouse with his uncle and full-time as a loader and driver for The Chester Lormand Sweet Potato Company. Leonard called “NeNe” by his children, relocated his family to Richmond, CA. in 1971 and keeping faith first, joined (G.L.A.) God’s Little Acre Mission in Richmond, under the leadership of Rev. Scipio Wigfall. In 1979 Leonard and family continued their worship at Providence Baptist Church in Richmond, Pastored by Rev. Brock. Leonard was truly a ‘Jack of All Trades’. He worked as an Auto Parts Dealer at The North Richmond Wrecking Yards, an Auto Mechanic at several shops throughout the Bay Area, took a business course at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA. and ran his own business as an Auto Body & Fender Specialist. During this time, Leonard became best friends with Mr. H. L. Moore and worked as his assistant running a chain of Auto Dealerships in Albany and Berkeley, CA. until his retirement. Leonard and his wife were very active community servants in Richmond. They volunteered at The Richmond Rescue Mission, fed and clothed the homeless and mentored neighborhood youth. He enjoyed taking his wife on weekend getaways to Reno and Las Vegas, family road trips to Texas and Louisiana, family barbecues, attending events with his children and grandchildren, watching old western and comedy movies and was always dressed in his best duds as if he was accepting an award. In his Senior years prior to his passing, Leonard attended Magee Avenue Baptist Church in Berkeley, CA. with his children and in-laws, pastored by Rev. Michael A. Smith. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife Ethel Fontenot Jack, sons Lester Lesson Jack (Carrie), James “Bo” Jack (Sharon), Lemus “Tug” Jack (Cheryl), and Jimmy Dean. His daughter Linda Gail Jack and his grandson Dione Lemus Jack. Also preceding Leonard in death are his mother Laurencia Edwards Semien, Stepfather Morris Semien, his father Austin Jack Sr., stepmother Julia Gallow Jack, his brothers Empriss Semien, Rogers Semien and Leroy Jack and his sisters Doristine Leblanc and Rose Mary Sonnier.

Leonard Jack Sr

June 8, 1933 - October 24, 2022

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Leonard Jack Sr

June 8, 1933 - October 24, 2022

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

Urn Store

Obituaries

Price Lists

Contact Information