Melvin Thomas Leonard Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Melvin “Tommy” Leonard, age 75 of Valley, NE died August 20, 2018 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha. He was born on January 23, 1943 in Oklahoma City, OK to Lewis M. and Idabell (Stone) Leonard. He received his education while living in Oklahoma. As a young person, Tommy raised show chickens, and started his love of working on car. In January of 1960, he would enter the US Navy and serve for over 4 years while spending time on the US Kitty Hawk. He was honorable discharged in June of 1964. On August 1, 1971, Tommy was united in marriage to Yvonne L. Garner at the Methodist Church in Valley, NE. He had a roofing company for many years called Leonard Roofing and Guttering. His love for cars led him to owning his own race car - #48. He was noted for his hairdo and his Hot & Cold tattoos. He had a love for playing Keno and watching old westerns, The Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune. Words that best describe Tommy would be, Stubborn, Independent, hardworking and caring. A couple important events in his life were when his grandchildren were born and when he would take trips back home to see his family. He loved a cold Diet Coke and Ice Cream from the Dairy Chef and maybe warm corn bread as well, however, you never should open more than one gallon of milk at once or eat the ice cream out of the center of the tub, those were no no’s to Tommy. All in all, he truly cared about his family and would help anyone who needed it as well as having a huge heart for animals. He was preceded in death by: his parents and step-son, Gary D. Garner, Jr. Surviving him are his wife, Yvonne of Valley; son, Melvin C. Leonard (Toni) of Valley; daughter, Hope R. Buhl (Marc) of Omaha; step-daughter, Bonnie Albers of Omaha; step-son, Christopher Garner of Omaha; Ten grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren; brothers, Lewis Leonard of Winslow, AR and David Leonard of Valley, NE. A Memorial gathering will be Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from 4 pm until 8 pm with the family present and a military service will be held at 7 pm all at the Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn.

Melvin Thomas Leonard

January 23, 1943 - August 20, 2018