Kerry Alexander Leake, Sr. of Olive Branch, Mississippi

At 5:35am on the morning of January 3, 2016, Kerry passed away at Methodist Hospice Residence after a four-month battle with cancer.  He was and has been surrounded by friends and family throughout.  He was 71 years old.

Kerry Leake was born in the town of Ridgely, TN on July 30, 1944.  He was the seventh of eight children.

Kerry was a 1962 graduate of Ridgely High School where he was the quarterback, #16, for the Ridgely Greenwaves.  As an adult, Kerry was driven to accomplish many things including giving back to his own community.  He was elected as alderman and then the Mayor of Ridgley, was a broadcaster for the Lake County Falcons, served on the school board and served as a deacon and youth leader at First Baptist Church in Ridgely.

He was a man driven to accomplish much.  Kerry had a passion to become a pilot and he did.  He wanted to become an author and he published a book.  He had a gift for patterns and garment making, and he held several executive positions in the garment industry in Ridgley, Memphis, Dallas, Georgia and New York.  He shared his expertise by consulting with many companies including several overseas.

Kerry was most known as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who wanted to live out his life serving Christ and serving others.  He loved studying God's word, fellowshipping with dear friends from his church and singing in the choir.  He had a heart for ministry. To many, Kerry was a mentor, a man of integrity, a humble servant, but his love for his family, friends and faith drew people to him.  If he were asked how he would want to be remembered, it would be a Christ-follower, a good and faithful servant.

Kerry was preceded in death by his parents Alexander and Florence Leake, one sister, Grace Casteel and two brothers, Charles Leake and Coy Leake.

Kerry is survived by his wife, Joan Stem Leake, one son, Chip Leake (Melinda), one daughter Ginger Erwin (John), four grandchildren, Holli Erwin, Christian Leake (Haley), Noah Leake, John Reid Erwin, and one great-grandson, Lane Erwin, one brother, Tony Leake (Wanda), and three sisters, Alma Ruth Wyrick, Barbara Marvin (Billy), Brenda Crittenden and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, Ridgel y Tennessee from 10am-1pm on Tuesday, January 5 with the funeral following at 2pm. Burial will be in the New Haven Cemetery.

If instead of flowers, you would like to make a donation in Kerry's memory, gifts may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Methodist Hospice Residence, both in Memphis.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Leake, Alan Leake, Jason Leake, Butch Crittenden, Jay Crittenden and James Robert (Jimmy) Leake.