of Mountain Home, AR

April 29, 1945 - December 19, 2025

Anthony Verdell Leonard departed this world on Friday, December 19, 2025, at his home in Mountain Home, AR. Instead of a formal funeral service, his wishes were for a private celebration among his children, one of comfort through laughter and tears in celebration of their father's eighty years.

Anthony was born on April 29, 1945, in Clay County, Arkansas. He spent his public school days in Datto, Arkansas. On April 14, 1963, he married Betty Jean Baldwin, the mother of their four children, and, though they divorced after 25 years, they remained friends up to his last day.

One of nine children, Anthony is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Juanita (Blair) Leonard; one sister, Lara Mae Leonard Gowart and three brothers: Clarence, Jr., Bob, and Bill. His living siblings are one sister and three brothers: Linda Leonard McFarland, Dave, Wendell, and Denny.

Anthony is survived by four children (and their spouses): Toni Leonard Rogers (Chris); Dell Leonard; Libbie Leonard Lindsey; and Tracy Leonard (Karla); eight grandchildren: Blake Rogers (Michelle); Brooke Rogers-Crosby (Jonathan); Briana Leonard Edington (Macllain); Britney Leonard Hochard (Chase); Dylan Lindsey; Drue Lindsey; Kaiti Leonard Kossow (Sam); and Ryan Leonard; and four great-grandchildren: Octavia Rogers; Maya and Lyla Hochard; and Barrett Kossow.

The profession Anthony's children most remember is that of him as a traveling salesman, a career that served him well as he never met a person he couldn't entertain. Truly, among the many things that made Anthony such an original are the memories that live on through his kids and grandkids:

''I remember hours of his serenading, the two of us crooning together, and singing along to Elvis Presley records. Dad really did sound like 'The King of Rock and Roll', and I am certain that my father is the reason I have always had such a passion for music, in general. Even as I recall this, I can hear him singing 'My Way'.'' -Toni

''When I went on summer road trips with Dad for his job, he would always try to find a major-league baseball game for us to attend. He loved sports, and Lady Bomber Basketball was his favorite. He was so proud that his son was the head coach. -Dell

''I will forever remember Daddy's stories (some true; some not) making me and all my friends laugh; the summer road trips to STL Cardinal baseball games; Six Flags; his made-up songs, especially for me like Lily is a Good 'Ole Girl. Looking back, I wish I would have more appreciated his daily calls, especially those when he was asking for help with something like an online order from Walmart, a computer malfunction, an iPhone reprogramming (because he'd deleted everything…'') -Libbie

''Like my siblings, I hold dear all the trips to St. Louis for Six Flags and Cardinal baseball. Dad definitely instilled in me at an early age a love of sports. He was always entertaining. He enjoyed making people laugh and watching his kids have fun. We never knew what he was going to say, and our friends thought he was so funny. His stories could keep us amused for hours. His imagination was off the charts!'' -Tracy

''Granddaddy always made sure to check on me and 'the doctor' (Macllain), as he put it, he never failed to bring a smile or, more often, a laugh, to any room, and he was the #1 Lady Bomber Basketball fan!'' -Briana

''When I was a kid, I had a fear that any time I went to Bergman (Arkansas) there would be an earthquake because Granddaddy told me that a huge earthquake had split the road in half between Nanny's house and Bergman Schools. As I became an adult, he went out of his way to tell me how proud he was of me… and he loved his great-grandbabies!'' -Britney

''Sometimes, Granddaddy called me Dylan, sometimes Drew. He never did learn how to spell my name correctly, but he always made sure I knew he loved his grandkids. He wished me luck before every wrestling match. I knew how proud he was of me, and he loved it when I became Coach Drue.'' -Drue

''He was always so goofy! He often simply referred to me as 'the girl' when he couldn't remember my name, but, when I had my son, Granddaddy never forgot Barrett's name, and he never hesitated to ask for and appreciate pictures of his great-grandson.'' -Kaiti

''I was mostly just 'Grandson' to him, seldom 'Ryan' but, occasionally 'Bryan'. Sometimes, he even called me 'Drue' (a different grandson). He may not have recalled names well, but I will always remember him being there the last fifteen years of my life and present at every family function. I am sure going to miss our 'Mafia' games with him during the holidays. I am going to miss him asking about my life and telling me how proud of me he was. I know he loved me and that he was the best grandfather he could be. 'Granddaddy, I will always miss you''' -Ryan

Anthony Verdell Leonard left us knowing how much he was loved.

Sign Guestbook

1 Condolence(s)