James E. Leeson Sr. 1945-2026
LIBERTY — James Edward “Jim” Leeson Sr., 80, went to eternal peace or, as he would say, “He has gone fishin’,” on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Jim fought one courageous battle for the last eight years against multiple myeloma. He was the strongest man we know.
He was born Nov. 4, 1945, in Nicholas County, W.Va., to the late Dorothea Taylor Leeson Hanna and James W. Leeson.
Jim was a proud United States Army veteran who served in Vietnam as a lineman from 1968 to 1970. He later worked as a tree trimmer for Nelson Tree Service. He loved to fish on Lake Erie with his son-in-law, Ron, and no one lit up more after he saw his great-grandchildren.
He was a very talented craftsman and designed a full-size working lighthouse, a wishing well and even a multigenerational cradle used for his youngest daughter, all three grandchildren and two of his great-grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law, Joe and Rose Bays; stepfather, Roscoe Hanna; two brothers, John and Jacob; and three sisters, Susan, Anna and Charlotte.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Juanita Bays Leeson; one brother, Joseph Leeson of Chapin, South Carolina; three daughters, Marsha (Ron) DeMarco of Liberty Township, Sharon (Thaddeus) Stephenson of Cortland and Kimberly (Bryan) Fowler of Wentzville, Missouri; one son, James II of Liberty Township; three grandchildren, Dominick DeMarco of Akron, and Madison (Robert) England and Victoria “Tori” DeMarco, both of Liberty Township; four great-grandchildren, Michael Kennedy, Scarlett DeMarco, Claire England and Millie England; sister-in-law, Maryan Scott; and lifelong friend, Carl Payatt Sr.
A profound thank you to Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center at Wade Park for eight years of excellent service, and our deepest gratitude to Cathy Bonko, who always went above and beyond with compassion and empathy as a palliative NP. To the St. Elizabeth Health Center staff, heartfelt appreciation for the excellent care these last two weeks. With immense appreciation, we would like to thank Dr. Suhad and Dr. Johnny Alayon; our family and our friends, who have been so supportive during this time.
The family will receive friends 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Lane Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel, 180 Garfield Drive NE, Warren, where a memorial service will follow at noon with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in memory of James Edward “Jim” Leeson Sr. to Youngstown VA Food Bank, 1815 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, OH 44504; please make checks out to VAMC GPF 1222, with the memo “Food Pantry,” or give at www.veteransoutreach.org/donate/.
(special notice)