Judge Joe Means Leonard III
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Joe Means Leonard III was born October 25, 1944. Joe departed this life to be with Jesus on June 12, 2024. His time here with us molded him as a child of God, a wonderful son, a believer in Christ, a big brother, a friend, loving husband, doting father and MoJoe, Navy officer, war veteran, community servant, church member, and fisherman.
A service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held on Thursday, June 20 at 2:00 P.M. at United Presbyterian Church, 5905 Stonewall Street,
Greenville, Texas with Dr. Bryan Stamper and Pastor Mike O’Neil officiating. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Joe grew up in Gainesville, Texas the son of Joe Means Leonard, Jr. and Mary Sue Davis Leonard. His great-grandfather was the founder of the Gainesville Daily Register and his father founded KGAF Radio Station. He was nurtured by wonderful parents, and his grandparents lived close by and had a strong influence on his life. He had a deep abiding faith in God and lived by his Christian values.
When answering the question ”What things do you think you cannot live without?” in his Storyworth book his responses were:
”My Christian faith inspires me and gives hope for the future life. Also, the love of my family and the friends that I have made throughout my life. I was blessed with wonderful grandparents, a mother, and a father that taught me to have faith in God and seek His wisdom. My sisters, my wife, in-laws, son, daughter, and their families have been a source of great joy to me. Also, I have a multitude of friends that bring me happiness.”
Joe had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Unique and very intelligent would be adjectives many would use to describe Joe.
Joe graduated from Gainesville High School in 1962. He was the captain of his football team. Joe was honored with the first Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004 by the Gainesville High School Alumni Association.
Joe attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1966. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Upon graduating he worked for a year in Dallas and then joined the US Navy and went to Officer Candidate School. He served in Vietnam aboard the USS Manley DD-940 as the anti-submarine warfare officer. When he finished his service in the Navy he returned to the University of Texas in 1970 to attend law school.
In 1971 Joe married Sharon Hackney, daughter of Leo and Dava Hackney of Greenville, Texas.
After initially practicing law in Dallas Joe and Sharon moved to Greenville, Texas where he joined Jack Hart law firm. After 1983 he spent the rest of his career serving the citizens of Hunt County as:
Hunt County Attorney 1983
Judge Hunt County Court at Law 1984-1994
Judge 196th District Judge 1995-2010
As a judge, Joe helped countless people in all walks of life and was respected as someone who had great integrity. Many people thanked him for the direction he gave them, even some he sent to prison, who later found a better path in life. The happiest part of serving as District Judge was helping families adopt children. For several years he hosted Christmas dinners for children in foster care. He helped CASA become a reality in Hunt County.
Joe was a member of the Greenville Lions Club for 40+ years and served as President.
He was an Elder and Sunday school teacher at United Presbyterian Church. He was an active participant in all of the outreach missions of the church. He served on the board of Goodland Academy for several years.
He was active with the Boy Scouts of America and took 9 local boys on the 60-mile hike at Camp Philmont Scout Ranch. Many summers he went to Boy Scout camp with his son Dan, who later became an Eagle Scout. His hobbies were fishing, music, traveling, and being with family and friends.
His greatest accomplishment was raising two wonderful children, Dan and Rachel.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sharon, and by his son Dan Leonard and wife Kimberly, his daughter Rachel Cisneros and her husband Tony. His beloved grandchildren are Isaac and Nate Cisneros and Zach and Elizabeth Leonard. They loved their MoJoe and he always made sure they knew how much he loved them. He loved his two sisters, Susanne Beard and Jan Stamper, her husband, Bryan, and his sister-in-law, Susan Rath and her husband Jim, and many wonderful nieces and nephews and their children. Joe also adored his rescued dog, BeBe.
Joe loved nature and spent many happy hours outdoors either fishing, walking, or riding his bike.
He enjoyed teaching all his grandchildren and others how to fish. Joe taught himself how to fly fish and loved being in beautiful rivers all across America to fish. Another hobby was making CDs of favorite songs as gifts for his many friends. He had a vast knowledge of music and loved listening to all genres of music. Joe was a very generous person, always finding ways to help others, either by volunteering or giving to others. Joe will be deeply missed and never forgotten by the many whose lives he touched and whose lives were made better by being associated with him personally, professionally, and through his quiet generosity. He was uncommonly loved and respected by his family and friends.
The family wishes to thank our friend and physician, Dr. Howard Kweller, caregiver Emily Broussard, and Hospice Nurse, Amy Landers and all of Family First Hospice for their excellent service and care for Joe.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor Joe you may donate to his church, United Presbyterian 5905 Stonewall, Greenville, Texas 75402, or reach out and help someone in need.
