Michael Dale Leonard

Obituary For Michael Dale Leonard

Michael Dale “Pappy” Leonard, 65,of Bowie, Texas went to be with his Lord, on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

Funeral services will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 27, at the First Baptist Church of Bowie, Texas with Ben Weiss, Chaplain of Southlake Fire Department officiating.

Burial will follow at Oakhill Cemetery, Stoneburg, TX.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 26, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.

Mike was born on October 6, 1958 in Pampa, Texas and grew up in Moore, Oklahoma until moving to Nocona, Texas where he graduated in 1977. He continued to stay in touch with his classmates over the years and always enjoyed their time together. On August 26, 1978 he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Bratcher in Bowie, Texas and would have been married 46 years this August.

Mike worked several years in the oilfield before he found his calling as a Fire Fighter/Paramedic. He began his career in Bowie and in 1997 he found his second home as a Southlake Fireman. He was given the name “Pappy” by his co-workers who saw him as the grumpy old man. He retired from Southlake Fire Department in January 2021. His proudest moment was when he became “Pappy” to his two grandsons Campbell and Quinn.

Not only was Mike a proud public servant but was also an entrepreneur. He built multiple businesses throughout his lifetime, including Mike & Mom's Grocery Store in Nocona and later ML Construction. Mike built his first log cabin in 1998, their family home, and continued building log cabins throughout North Central Texas for over 15 years. Mike loved working with his cattle on his days off and was always able to fit some time in for fishing and golf.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Betty Pope Leonard, father-in-law Bill Bratcher, mother- in-law Glenda Campbell and father-in-law Linton Campbell.

Mike is survived by his wife of 46 years, Debbie Leonard of Bowie, Texas; son, Kris Leonard and Elliott of Bowie, Texas; son, Brandon Leonard and wife Mica of Ponder, Texas; grandsons, Campbell and Quinn Leonard of Ponder, Texas; father Bill Leonard; sister, Elecia Chancellor and husband William; brothers, Gary Leonard, and Mark Leonard and wife Amy; brother-in-law Linton D. Campbell Jr.; along with many extended family members and numerous friends.

Should friends desire, memorials can be made in honor of Mike at Jacksboro National Bank to the Mike “Pappy” Leonard First Responder Scholarship Account or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.