of Little Rock, AR
October 10, 1932 - January 14, 2016
John Leonard Venable, 83, of Little Rock passed away after a five-year battle with cancer on January 14, 2016. He was born in Grady, Arkansas to R.J. Venable and Tempie Roberson Venable on October 10, 1932.
Leonard ventured off the family farm at 18 and was the first member of his family to graduate college. He joined the Navy and traveled the world while serving aboard the USS Prairie (AD-15) and upon his honorable discharge, settled down in Little Rock. After a time parking cars, Leonard "talked his way into a job" in real estate working for Mr. Elbert Fausett. From there it was a rapid rise to success. Over the next several years Leonard founded Terra Properties; rose to the rank of vice president at First Federal Savings & Loan; sat on the board of directors of the Little Rock Junior Chamber of Commerce; and only fourteen years after getting his start with Fausett, he purchased the company and served as its President and CEO.
As with all things in life, success wasn't always present, but Leonard's devout faith, internal strength, and perpetual resilience were. He had the unique opportunity to demonstrate his unfailing character in the face of both great success and strong adversity. Leonard adapted, overcame, and succeeded. Throughout his 60 year career, he continually established himself as a multi-faceted businessman through many successful ventures as an entrepreneur, land developer, and mortgage banker; but the most important things in his life were his relationships with God and his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; beloved infant son; brothers Clyde and Harold; and sister, Frances. He is survived by his wife, Delores (Dee) Venable; three sons, John L. Venable, II (Diane) of Washington, D.C., David Venable of Dallas, Texas, and Mark Tabor of Newport Beach, California; daughters, Pam Shuffield (John) of Little Rock and Lorrie Linn Woodward of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; grandchildren, Christian Tabor, Ben Shuffield, Jack Shuffield, Luke Shuffield, Adam Woodward, Rebekah Woodward, and Hannah Woodward; brother Robert J. Venable of Grady, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Charlene Venable and Donna Ruth Venable; and a host of loving nieces, and nephews.
Leonard was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and a former Bible Study Fellowship leader.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bible Study Fellowship or Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund, 501 N. Shackleford, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211.
Graveside service will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, January 18, 2016 at Grady Cemetery in Grady, Arkansas. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211, (501) 224-8300. Mr. Venable will lie in State until 5:00 P.M., Sunday, January 17, 2016.
Sign Guestbook
14 Condolence(s)
Nick and Sharon Williams
Friday, January 22, 2016
We are so sorry for your loss, and our sympathies are with you.
Nick and Sharon
Liz and John Phillips
Thursday, January 21, 2016
We are thinking of you and praying for you and your family in this time of sorrow. We will miss Leonard. He was a good friend and neighbor.
Mark and Sonya Murphy
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Dee, we were so sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. He was such a wonderful guy and will be greatly missed. You have our deepest sympathies and love.
Claudine Waters
Monday, January 18, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. Claudine Waters
HARLEE Watson Jr.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
I'm praying for peace and comfort for the family. May the peace and blessings continue. He will be missed at BSF.
Wayne Holden
Sunday, January 17, 2016
So sorry for this news. Prayers are with family and friends.
John Brower
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Dear Delores:
I am deeply saddened to hear about Leonard. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Jamie Crockett
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Mr. Venable.
Linda Baugh
Sunday, January 17, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Will try to make it..
Darriel Holden Scott
Sunday, January 17, 2016
So sorry to hear about my cousin's passing. My sympathy to the family. Even though I don't get to see my cousins anymore, I still think of them.
John
Saturday, January 16, 2016
May God give Leorards family peace.
Lorrie Woodward
Saturday, January 16, 2016
All my love extends to my family at this time. Due to impending surgery, I cannot be there, but know that my heart is with you all.
Lorrie Linn
Jeanette Jones
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Dear Delores, Pam and Family, we are heartbroken for your loss. Leonard was very much loved and admired by so many, it was evident. He brought happiness, joy and much love to you all and we thank God for him being such a beautiful addition to your family. May you rest in the assurance he's with our Father and cancer-free again. Love you all, Jeanette & Gary Jones
Russ and Joanne Bailey
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Joanne and I are sadden at the loss of a great man--Lenard Venable. He was a fighter. Never giving up.
We know he is now in better place and free from all his pain.