David Leonard

(From Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home)

David Scott Leonard, 66, of Oronogo, Missouri, better known as Scott, the man who could fix anything, make you laugh till your sides ached, and tell stories that kept you on the edge of your seat, left this world on November 4th, 2023. 

Born on March 6th, 1957 in Webb City, Missouri, he managed to cram a lifetime of adventure into his 66 years. His final curtain call took place at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri, after months of health battles that he faced with the same grit and humor he brought to every aspect of his life.

Scott was a Webb City boy through and through, graduating from Webb City High School in 1975. After high school, he enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard, serving with the 203rd Engineer Battalion for 24 years. A machinist by trade, Scott could fix anything, making him the go-to handyman in the neighborhood. It was a role he relished, often turning a simple repair into a full-blown comedy routine that left everyone laughing.

Scott had a love for the outdoors that was only surpassed by his love for his family and his dogs. A seasoned outdoorsman, he was in his element when he was fishing or hunting, often regaling his family with tales of his exploits. His other passion was restoring John Deere tractors, a hobby that combined his love for machinery and his knack for storytelling. Every restored tractor had a tale, and Scott was always eager to share it.

Scott was a man who lived life on his own terms. He was as blunt as a sledgehammer, but his honesty was tempered with a unique sense of humor that made him a beloved figure. His laughter was infectious, and his tales, often peppered with his unique insights, were always a hit at family gatherings.

Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Cleve and Beverly Jo (Steele) Leonard; his brother Carey Leonard, two nephews, Michael Leonard and Michael Johnson, and a niece, McKenzie Kisling. But like any great comedian, he leaves behind a tough act to follow. His wife of forty-two years, Jeanne Leonard, continues to hold down the fort. His legacy lives on in his two children, Zach Leonard and his wife Tabatha, and Chelsey Parise. His three grandchildren, Laken, Ryder, and Ava, will grow up hearing the legendary tales of their grandfather. Scott also leaves behind a sister-in-law, Carol Leonard, three brothers-in-law, Randy and wife, Vanessa, Rick, and Jim Johnson, and a host of extended family and special friends.

Scott Leonard was the kind of man who made an impression. He was funny, he was interesting, and he was handy. He was loved by his family, respected by his friends, and admired by those who knew him. He was one of a kind, a man who lived life with a twinkle in his eye and a joke on his lips. 

As we say goodbye to Scott, let's remember him as he was - a man who could make us laugh, a man who loved deeply, and a man who lived life to the fullest. Here's to you, Scott - may your fishing lines always be tight, your hunting grounds plentiful, your beer always cold and your John Deere tractors forever green. You will be missed.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, November 8, 2023 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home. Private burial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.