Gary Wayne Leonard

Gary Wayne Leonard passed away peacefully on September 7, 2026, at the age of 76, following a brief battle with cancer. Born and raised in Oroville, California, he was a proud graduate of Oroville High School and went on to earn his degree from Chico State University, working at the Collins and Denny grocery market along the way to help pay his way through college.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Lucille Leonard, and his sister, Donna Elaine Lewis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Kathy Leonard; his two sons, Brandon (Jennifer) of Chico and Tyler (Meghan) of Oroville; his two beautiful grandchildren, Londyn and Brody; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins who will carry his memory forward.

Services will be held on October 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Oroville Aerie FOE 196 in Oroville, CA. Attire is casual.

Oroville remained Gary's home for the rest of his life, and the community he grew up in became the community he spent decades giving back to. He built his career at Pacific Coast Producers, where he worked for an incredible 47 years — a testament to his work ethic, loyalty, and the deep relationships he built with coworkers over the decades.

Beyond his career, Gary was a devoted and active member of the Oroville Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles 196, for 55 years, serving as Past Worthy President and as Trustee — forever remembered as a legendary trustee for many years, deeply trusted by the membership to help guide and safeguard the organization. In 2015, Gary's decades of dedication were recognized on a national level when he was elected to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for members who have made a significant impact on the organization, presented annually at the Eagles' National Convention. Gary was also often at the center of participation, graciously donating his time to help however he could with the Aerie's signature events, including the Wild Game Feed, the Crab Feed, and Texas Hold'em fundraiser nights, giving thousands of hours over the years to help these events succeed. He was a proud supporter of Max Baer Sports Night, an Eagles tradition honoring fellow Eagles member and heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer, in whose memory the Fraternal Order of Eagles established the Max Baer Heart Fund following his death from a heart attack in 1959 — a fund that has since raised millions for heart research and education across the country. Gary could also be found nearly every week at the Aerie's Sunday Breakfast, helping serve neighbors and friends and keeping its doors open as a true gathering place for Oroville.

Gary was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Oroville for 39 years, holding various officer roles and serving as a director of the board for many years. He was instrumental in managing the Kiddies Day Parade for most of his years with the club, was one of the club's main connections to the Pacific Coast Producers ranch for the annual Pheasant Hunt and other club events, and was a steady presence at Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs, giving local kids a free day of fishing each year. He was also a regular participant in the club's pancake fundraisers benefiting Feather River Parks and local Little Leagues. As the club's current president put it: "Gary was a cornerstone of the club. Always there! Never missed a meeting, and had an excellent ability to recall how things had been done long ago and why. He will be truly missed."

Outside of his work and community involvement, Gary lived life fully and enjoyed the simple pleasures. Every morning, he looked forward to sitting down with the paper and a cup of coffee before the day got going. He loved playing and watching golf, getting lost in a good western or mystery novel or a crossword puzzle, listening to old country music, and enjoying a glass of red wine with a decent cigar — or, just as often, an ice-cold Diet Pepsi in hand. When his kids were young, he loved sitting down and playing video games right alongside them. He took great joy in firing up the barbecue and entertaining friends and family at home and around the pool, always happy to host — and just as often, he was the one in the kitchen afterward, quietly doing all the dishes once Kathy had finished preparing a great meal. Gary was also a devoted husband in the smallest of ways — he never once left the house without kissing Kathy three times. He and Kathy loved to travel, often alongside their close friends Paula and Craig, creating memories that spanned countless trips together over the years.

Gary made sure his kids grew up with a love of sports and adventure. He took them to see the Kings, the Sharks, WWE, the 49ers, and the Giants, and in 1986 he took the family to Canada for the World's Fair. Family vacations were a regular part of life growing up, and Gary always made room for one more — his kids' friends were often invited along, becoming part of the memories too, and it was on these trips that Gary first picked up his lasting nickname, "Scary Gary." That love of sports continued well into adulthood, as Gary went on to attend many more professional sporting events with his sons over the years, including the Lake Tahoe Celebrity Golf Championship pro-am, and he always enjoyed a casino night here and there. He was active and present throughout his kids' lives — never missing a high school football game, and always ready to drive his son and his fellow Cub Scouts to their next event.

Some of Gary's fondest moments were spent taking his young children on drives through the hills and backroads surrounding Oroville, sharing the area's rich history along the way — stopping at the old covered bridge and one-room schoolhouse in Oregon City, taking in the wildflowers and volcanic mesas of Table Mountain, and pointing out the landmarks that told the story of the town he loved.

In his later years, that same love of sharing life with the people he cared about carried over into his role as a grandfather. Gary loved nothing more than cheering on Londyn and Brody from the sidelines, rarely missing a chance to watch them play basketball and soccer — always their biggest fan.

Over the years, the Leonard family home was never without a wagging tail or a purr nearby — Gary and Kathy welcomed and loved nine dogs and one cat over the course of their life together, each one a cherished part of the family.

Gary will be remembered not only for the decades he gave to Pacific Coast Producers, the Oroville Aerie, and the Kiwanis Club, but for the countless hours he spent making sure Oroville's community events happened, cheering from the sidelines for his grandkids, and sharing the place he called home with the people he loved. He believed in showing up, and for over fifty years, he did.

Services will be held on October 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Oroville Eagles, Oroville Aerie FOE 196, in Oroville, CA. Attire is casual.