David Carl Leonard passed away February 4, 2017 with his family at his side. Dave was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 6, 1931 where he graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1950. He received a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1954, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society. He was an instructor at the college level at Oklahoma State and UAH in math, engineering economy, accounting, and computer science. Dave came to Huntsville in 1954 as a Lieutenant with the US Army and was one of the first graduating groups to the Ordnance Guided Missile School and received rank of Captain in 1960. He retired from Redstone Arsenal in 1999 as an industrial engineer.
He was a member of the Helion Lodge #1 F.&A.M. in Huntsville, and was a charter member of the Shrine Temple where he helped form the original Temple Dance Band. He was a lifetime member of the Masonic-Pilgrim Rock Lodge of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dave was an accomplished accordionist who started taking lessons at the age of eight. He played with a popular local dance band, The Moonlighters, for 30 years and also had his own dance combo. He taught accordion lessons for several years.
He was a kind and gentle man who never met a stranger, and was lovingly called “Gunda” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always made those around him laugh with his jokes and smile with his music.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita Evans Leonard, whom he met at church within two weeks after coming to Huntsville; daughter, Debbie Leonard Mudler (Mike); grandsons, Michael David Mudler and Joshua Reynolds Mudler, all of Florence, AL; son, David Reynolds “Renny” Leonard (Donna) of Huntsville, AL; granddaughter, Rachel Leonard Wierenga (Aaron), great-granddaughters, Ruth Wierenga and Marie Wierenga, all of Nashville, TN. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews in California, Minnesota, and Missouri.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8 at Maple Hill Cemetery with Pastor John Dees officiating. There will be a 30 minute visitation at the graveside prior to the service.
“I am comforted by the assurance that there will be beautiful music in heaven, and for that I am most grateful.”
