David Ray Leonard, 62

David Ray Leonard was born October 26, 1962, in Bassett, NE to Joe Ross Leonard and Elsie Judith Gipson Leonard. He was the last of three children, arriving after his sister LeAnn and his brother Joe. Throughout his childhood Dave was active in 4-H and FFA and enjoyed hunting, rodeo, and fishing. In 1981, he graduated from Rock County High School and later attended Chadron State College to major in Rodeo. After college, Dave was a hunting guide in the Rocky Mountains. Dave saw great success in rodeo and was proud to be the Mid States Rookie of the Year as a Team Roping Header in 1982.

In 1987, he moved to Valentine, and married Carol Jane Iske on May 21, of 1988. To this marriage Dave and CJ had four children, Nichole Rae in 1989, Garrett Marvin in 1991, Makenzie Jane in 1993, and Bailey Jo in 1997. Dave was very active in each child’s activities throughout their school years.

Dave was known for his unwavering work ethic and held various jobs throughout his life. He worked construction, for Pepsi, Budweiser, owned and operated with CJ their retail store CJ’s Nickelodeon, and also owned and operated Leonard’s Lawns. He was a maintenance worker, product distributor for Little Debbie, and most recently, the Cherry County Weed Supervisor.

Dave was the perfect example of a behind the scenes community volunteer and had a servant’s heart. He served on the Old West Days Committee for 30+ years and spent countless hours volunteering and being employed by the Cherry County Ag Society. He was the First Male Auxiliary president of the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers and was involved with the local youth group called Logos. He could always be counted on to get the job done in a timely manner, and done right.

He had many interests and hobbies including participating/ watching rodeos, ranch rodeos, and ropings. He enjoyed coin collecting and made sure each of his four kids had a full set of state quarters. Dave said there was only one national holiday and that was deer season. He always enjoyed promoting and watching demolition derbies and took a lot of pride in watching his sons-in-law and even a few grandkids compete in the derby’s.

Dave was very proud that all eight of his “big kids” had good jobs and are productive members of society. He was especially proud of his title “Papa” to his 10 grandchildren, who all loved him very much. He had many special pets that loved him, too. Horses Ray and Taz; dogs Kutar, Rudy, Nemo, Chic, and Diesel and several inside cats throughout the years.

David passed away January 25, 2025, at the age of 62, with his wife of 37 years by his side.

Survivors of Dave include: wife Carol of Valentine, children: Nichole and Travis Bostock of O’Neill, Garrett and Samantha Leonard of Valentine, Makenzie and Mathew Jones of Norfolk, and Bailey and Austin Trusty of Hershey. Grandchildren: Laken Rae, Jye David, Jovi Rae, Lexie Jo, Coy Maverick, Jett Thomas, Coen James, Juniper Wren, Chloe Layne, and Baby Leonard. Brother, Joe R. Leonard III and Christi of Bassett, sisterin- law Debra and Bill Ludwig of Crescent, IA, and brother-in-law Tom Grigsby of Seward, as well as nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Elsie Leonard, parents-in-law Claude M. (Chuck) and Bonnie Iske, sister LeAnn Grigsby, and brother-in-law Marvin L. Iske.

Dave will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

Services were held Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the Valentine Presbyterian Church with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery, Valentine.

Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Online guestbook at www.Holmes-FH.com.