Bernie Boyd Leonard, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at his home with his devoted wife and his children with him. He was born on August 6, 1937 in Kearney, Nebraska to Bernard Franklin and Dorothy Fae Leonard. After attending Kearney State College and then graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1962, he married Connie Kay (Steiner) Leonard. Bernie and Connie made their first home in Columbus, Nebraska. Their children, Cori Lee and Bernard James (B. J. ), were born in Columbus where Bernie worked for Parke, Davis & Co. The family then re-located to Omaha, Nebraska where Bernie worked for Merrill Lynch. Family weekends were spent at nearby lakes with their first boat, at the rod and gun club with plenty of camping, fishing and trap shooting, and on duck, pheasant and quail hunting trips in season. The family enjoyed their friends and having family nearby while in Omaha, but in 1974, Bernie determined that he wanted to be his own boss and purchased Hudnall Distributing Company in Chillicothe, Missouri. During their time in Chillicothe the family had a condo in Osage Beach, Missouri where they spent almost every single weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day and grew to love the lake life even more. There is no telling how many hours were logged on a boat – first teaching lots of kids to ski and then pulling them around the lake for as long as they liked and later (when they were mostly legal) dropping anchor in a cove and enjoying cold beverages. He ran Leonard Distributing Company until 1991 when he "retired" and moved to Osage Beach, Missouri where he and Connie built a beautiful home. He then worked (a) part-time alongside Connie as a real estate agent/broker, and (b) full-time on fun in the sun. The arrival of grandchildren in Overland Park, Kansas led Connie and Bernie to relocate one last time in 1997. Both Cori and B. J. had settled in Overland Park and Bernie and Connie spent the next 25 years being the most extraordinary grandparents to their six grandchildren. When he wasn't attending one of those six grandkids' soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, choral, band or football events (of which he missed very few and which continued through college years for three of his grandsons – football, soccer, and choral music), he might be found on a golf course (either playing or working as a volunteer marshal), doing innumerable do-it-yourself projects (there wasn't a problem for which he couldn't find a solution on YouTube), or walking one (or sometimes two) of their beloved dogs around the neighborhood and visiting with neighbors who always loved to talk with him on his rounds. Bernie also volunteered on his Homeowner's Association Board and through his church, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. He was preceded in death by his parents and leaves behind his wife, Connie, with whom he would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June; his daughter, Cori Leonard Young, and son-in-law, Rob Young (Overland Park, KS); his son, B. J. Leonard and daughter-in-law, Heather Leonard (Overland Park, KS); grandkids, Taylor Leonard (Frisco, TX), R. J. Leonard (Overland Park, KS), Mason Leonard and wife, Lindsey (Kansas City, MO), Catherine Young (Denver, CO), Lizzy Young (Columbia, MO) and Jack Young (Overland Park, KS) – all of whom gathered for a lovely Easter Weekend with their Grandpa Bernie who will be missed as the patriarch who never failed to show up and to provide his staunch support, never-ending love, firm guidance and strong opinions – most of which were appreciated. Service Visitation will be held at The Wesley Chapel at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:00 am with Services to follow at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life will follow at the home of Cori and Rob Young. Memorial Contributions Memorial contributions can be made in Bernie's honor to the Miracle of Innocence, 13725 Metcalf Avenue, #285, Overland Park, KS 66223.