John "Jack" Leach

John Wesley Leach was born August 1, 1937, in Aurora, IL, to James C. and Della Pigney Leach. The family moved to Blue Earth when Jack was 10 years old. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1956. Jack joined the United States Navy in 1956 and served until 1960. He was an air traffic controller on the aircraft carrier, "Essex." After returning home, Jack attended college in Mankato, graduating from Mankato State. He worked at Otto Publishing and later moved to Albert Lea, where he was employed at Wilson & Company until he started his own business, "Leach Sod & Nursery." Jack was involved in the YMCA baseball program and was a Boy Scout leader and a youth hockey coach for many years. He also enjoyed all the kids that worked for him in the summer for the last 30 years. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Joyce; his children: Todd Nancy Leach and their daughters, Abby and Amy of Albert Lea; Scott Leach and his son, Nick of St. Paul; Dan Leach and his daughters, Mariah and Brittney of Albert Lea; Pam Rick Miller and their children of Ohio; Joyce's children: Eric Meyer of Albert Lea, Natalie Greg Hubble and their children, Whitney and Courtney of Littleton, CO; Greg Barb Stribley and their children of Sioux City, NE; and Michael Stribley of Albert Lea; sisters: Ruth Schape of Bricelyn, Lynda Marv Heidecks of Lakota, IA, and Catherine Mike Koons of Fairmont; brothers, James Sharyl Leach of Alamogordo, NM and Gary Gina Leach of Delevan; and many nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; Evelyn, the mother of his four children; and 2 brothers-in-law.