James R. Leeson

James R. Leeson, 66, of Alliance, died on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at his home. Born on July 21, 1943, in Salem, he lived in Alliance most of his life and was a 1961 graduate of Alliance High School. He was a U. S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam Conflict. Mr. Leeson attended St. Joseph Catholic Church. Jim retired from the Alliance Fire Department after 25 years of service. He had previously been employed as a U.S. mail carrier in Alliance. Mr. Leeson was a member of the B.P.O. Elks # 467, the V.F.W. Post 166, the Dante Alighieri Society, the William Penn Club, and the Christopher Columbus Society. Jim was a loving cheerful person who had many friends in the Alliance area and around the country. He always had a story to tell and loved having fun. To the children in the family he was known as “Mr. Magic”. He was proud of his service to this country and would not hesitate to call people’s attention to their tattered American flags. Jim was a good neighbor and served as the dog walker, the pool boy, the lawn caretaker, or other service provider to his friends. There have been many happy times shared with friends in his “Owl Grill” at home. Survivors include a brother, Joe (Gloria) Leeson of Canton; niece Judy (Brian) Polstra of Plantation FL, nephew Joe (Stefanie) Leeson and son Nathaniel of North Canton, niece Janet Leeson (Lorenzo) Bertola and children Giulia, Thomas, and Michael of Milan Italy, another loving niece; two aunts, Alice Snyder of Girard and Marge Tolp of Long Island, NY; and four cousins, Kristine (Gus) Scaglione, Joyce Yeaney, Ryan Snyder, and Joe (Tina) Barber. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph R. and Betty L. (Tolp) Leeson. The family will receive friends at Walton-Schrader Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Donald L. Feicht, as celebrant. Interment, with military honors provided by the Alliance American Legion Post 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1036, will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 427 E. Broadway, Alliance, OH 44601. Arrangements are by the Walton-Schrader Funeral Home, 1131 West State Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601. This obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wsfuneralhome.com.

James R. Leeson

July 21, 1943 - March 11, 2010