Craig Leonard

It is with a heavy heart, yet relieved heart as he is pain free and in the arms of the Lord that we announce that Craig Randall Leonard, Sr., 64, aka "Buzzsaw" has left us here to cherish his memory. Craig went on the Promised Land as he said he would on Friday, October 13,2023, after a long, hard battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He took his last breath at home with his wife & children. Craig was a machinist by trade, but a comedian at heart. He spent his working years at AACOA/ Bonnell Aluminum, shaping metal with the same precision he used to craft his jokes. After becoming ill in May of 2021, he retired on disability to spend time doing what he loved most - watching Notre Dame football, taking a few family trips, making everyone around him laugh & watching alll the Westerns ever made. Craig never showed the pain that we know he endured throughout his illness, but when it hit him it hit him hard. Craig underwent chemotherapy, radiation and several surgeries like a CHAMP. His love for old school music, cruising to play lottery numbers, having a Budweiser and hanging out to play cards is what gave him the strength to live in joy and pain in his last days. Craig was a man of faith, having accepted Christ, September 9,2023 , the same day he shared forever vows of marriage to the love of his life of 33 years and caregiver Sugar. He spoke fondly of the Promised Land, and with the cheekiest grin, he'd say he'd go to find his buddy, his mother in law when he got there. As Mark Twain once said, "The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." And live fully, Craig did. He always said he was gone "Do Craig & Be Craig". And in the wks prior he stated he was not afraid to die. Craig will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his loving wife, Mosetta "Sugar" (Horton) his sons Blair, & Craig Jr.( CJ) Leonard and his daughter Bethany Leonard & bonus son Joshua Hodge, granddaughters Amia & Amari Hodge, all of South Bend, and Goddaughter/ Great Niece Da'Leeah Leonard. His sisters Gwen Golden, Barbara King, Sandra Johnson; brothers Curtis Leonard Sr. Samuel Leonard Sr., all of South Bend, brother Louis Leonard, Jr. of Elkhart, IN and brother Terry Leonard Sr., of Denver, CO. Sisters - in- Laws Jeanetta White and Janice Gates and brother-in-law Mose Horton, Jr. all of South Bend. Craig was blessed with special nephews D'Andre Winston Jr., Jourdin Leonard, Curtis (Lil Cootie) Leonard Jr., Louis (Lil Lou) Leonard Jr. & Terrell Morris Sr. Special cousins Harry & Jerry Mitchell & Best Friend Ronnie Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Willie Barnette Leonard, his brother Edward Leonard, sister in law Tina Leonard and his in-laws Mose and Edisto Horton. Best friend Ronnie Seward. And many other family & friends. We want to extend our thanks to Alford's Mortuary and to Bishop Alford and the Pentecostal Cathedral for hosting our family. Dr. Justin Leugers of Our Lady of the Rosary, Dr. Rashid Khan of Michiana Hematology and Oncology, and Nurse Zach & Center for Hospice for their support and care during this time. And thank you to Tysis Crawford for caring & providing meals when his wife was not in town. In Craig's memory, we encourage everyone to keep his family in your prayers & the laughter alive. Share your funniest stories, favorite memories of him daily. The family appreciates all prayers, calls, messages and any other sentiments.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Craig Leonard, please visit our floral store.