Jay
Alan Herbert
Leonard
Obituary
Jay Alan Herbert Leonard, 61, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023. He was surrounded & filled with the love of his wife, two children & their spouses, both of his brothers, niece & nephew, and life-long best friend.
Jay was raised in New Haven, Indiana. He was the middle of three sons of James (Jim) & Janet Leonard. His brother James (Jim Jr.), 67, who currently resides in Los Angeles, California and younger brother Jon, 57, who currently resides in Chicago, Illinois have been continual supporters of Jay’s ambitions since the earliest days here with him. Growing up, many realized that Jay was driven to become something special. He worked the paper route in New Haven then quickly transitioned that into making it his own little business of having delivery boys under him. Jay was everything but shy. In high school, he became the school mascot & remains a legend as “Vic the Bulldog.” Also, during this time, he was very proud of his acting & singing roles he took on in school plays.
Jay attended Ball State University for a short period of time before realizing he loved working with people. In 1980, he started selling cars with Heffner Chevrolet in Fort Wayne, Indiana which then transitioned into Kelley Chevrolet. After a few short years of working his way up through the auto industry, he had the opportunity to manage a new car franchise in Atlanta, Georgia. Like college, this opportunity was short-lived. He realized that he could do this on his own. Then in 1989, Jay started Preferred Automotive Group. He started with a small lot on the corner of Speedway Drive in Fort Wayne with only six vehicles & transitioned his business to seven locations across northeast Indiana with hundreds of pre-owned vehicles in the years to come. As of today, his business model has consolidated all of their inventory into two locations in the Fort Wayne area. He was not only proud of his sales with pre-owned vehicles, but as well as his two state-of-art certified service facilities at the Illinois Road and Lima Road locations in Fort Wayne. Jay also owned his own warranty company called GFW, which stands for God, Family, Work. Jay would always say that represented his priorities & in that order. He has won Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. His business has been committed to giving back to the community. Since 1993, they have handed out thousands of Christmas trees for free to those in need. Also, in recent years, his business has been a huge supporter to Blue Jacket’s Fantasy of Lights. Over the course of the past 34 years in business there has been a significant amount of charities and organizations that Preferred Auto has contributed to due to Jay’s love of giving back to those around him. To this day, his business stands as an A+ rating & an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
Jay has continued to impact the community positively through business & his personal life. He was a proud co-owner of the Fort Wayne Fury between 1994 and 2001 which was part of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). His love was not only for basketball, but loved being around a team atmosphere & creating phenomenal relationships with players, coaches, and fans. Also, Jay was an advocate & supporter for Camp Watcha Wanna Do. This role that he took so close to his heart has helped donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to support a week for adolescents battling cancer to play their way from their worries of cancer creating normalcy for their childhood. In 2009, he became a co-owner of Pine Valley Country Club & helped create a new dynamic to generate a growth of the club & its amenities.
Outside of his professions, Jay had many passions. Throughout his life, he loved to travel. He and his wife’s favorite destination in recent years has been to Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii. Together, one of the passions they shared was the game of golf. He has traveled all over the world with friends & family playing world renowned golf courses. Jay was once a pilot. He flew a single engine plane for many years & enjoyed his wings during the time he had his license. Also, Jay enjoyed playing cards. This came naturally to him due to his great ability of knowing math & understanding its odds within the game. Another passion that was close to Jay’s heart was fishing, and specifically ice fishing. Whatever person he was around in times of doing what he loved most, he always uplifted the spirits of everyone else around him, never acting as if someone was a stranger but rather a friend.
Setting everything aside, Jay was most proud of his family. With his significant role in the public and professional life, Jay knew it was of utmost importance to spend quality time with his family and that he did. He was passionate, faithful, supportive, understanding, and downright funny. He has been happily married to & survived by his wife Ann for 34 years. Together, they had two children Alexandria (Khorshid) & Jacob. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Daniel Khorshid, and daughter-in-law, Ashley Leonard. Along came three grandchildren as well, Lincoln & Leo Khorshid and Penelope Leonard – best known as “Papa” to them. He continues to be survived by his brothers James (Linda) Leonard Jr. and Jon (Betsy) Leonard; several nieces and nephews and additional family members. Jay was preceded in death by his father, James J Leonard, and mother, L. Janet Leonard.
Jay knew that none of his accomplishments, relationships created, and family he built wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for his sobriety. At a very early age, he recognized the troubles that persisted in his life were from the battles of his addiction with drugs and alcohol. With a close second to his family, he was extremely proud of his tremendous efforts since July 26th, 1983 and this coming July would have marked his 40th year of sobriety.
Mass of Catholic Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, May 12th, 2023 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Fort Wayne. 1502 E Wallen Road. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 11th, 2023, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Watcha Wanna Do & Stillwater Hospice.
Services
Condolences
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Ann and the entire Leonard family
Deepest condolences to all of you and we share in you loss. We know how highly Jay valued his relationship with the BBB and his rating. Thoughts & prayers.
What a great guy!
Being in the same class with Jay in high school was such a treat he was inspiring!
We both battled addiction and Jay was a catalyst for me to get into the program and follow the path of sobriety
Drifting apart after H.S. he called and wanted me to check out his new car lot by the Putt-Putt.
Even though I didn’t need a car right then I ended up buying the nice vehicle that I own for many years and have so much respect for him!
Jay knew the secret! Being true honest caring giving and loving, seeing and envisioning the future was his key to success!
I am so glad to see his family keeping his legacy going and giving him respect and their commercials I will always be a customer!
Jay, my bff in school, I have so much respect for him it makes me cry to think he’s gone. When he invited me to his new car lot there next putt putt and had six cars I could only smile knowing that Ja
I think Jay was so kind when my Husband and I needed a truck. He was willing to do everything to get us a truck within our budget. I was going through chemo at the time and he was so sweet and spent a long time with us.
I purchased 4 vehicles and my Husband purchased 2 vehicles from his outstanding and reliable dealership’s throughout many years.
I’m so sorry for the family!
Father’s Day is NOT easy!
God bless and RIP Jay!
HE WAS A NICE PERSON TRICIA LATHAM
I grew up one house away from Jay and we spent a lot time together growing up and then attending school all the way thru graduation. Jay was like the brother I never had and he will be missed by many and never forgotten. Rest In Peace my brother y til we meet again.
My most sincere condolences,
Sending our deepest condolences
Our condolences to Ann, Jacob and Alex on Jay’s passing. He touched so many lives with his infinite spirit and boundless generosity. May his memories be a blessing to his family and friends. Rest in Peace, Jay.
We send our condolences to Jay Leonard’s family and friends. He was a terrific advisor to Major Crimes. We recall his charm and easy laughter, both of which were infectious. He will be missed.
James Duff & Phillip Keene, Adam Belanoff, Mike Berchem, Michael Alaimo, Kendall Sherwood, Duppy Demetrius, Mike Zara, Nick Zayas, Damani Johnson, Carson Moore, Ralph Gifford, Leo Geter
May the memories of Jay surround you and give you comfort. You are all in our thoughts and hearts.
Much love
My deepest condolences to Ann and family. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great friend to my brothers. Very kind every time I saw him. Such a great man. My prayers are with you.
With Sympathy,
Momentum Automotive
Forever in our Thoughts, Jay was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed by all in the community.
We send our heartfelt condolences during this challenging time. May the love of those around you bring ease during your time of grieving.
With sympathy,
To my good buddy, Jay. We share the same three most important aspects of both life and death….God, Family and Country. Jay’s outstanding traits were given to him by our Creator and Jay knew it. I’ve been sober for 74 months and my times with Jay and Ann in Maui assisted me in my battles with alcohol. Jay, gave me his 28 year coin(and I carry it everyday) as a constant reminder that time will take care of itself just ignore the “evil spirits”. I’ve caddied for Ann and Jay at Kapalua and I’d be remiss if I didn’t say it was indeed a “highlight in my life”. I’m a free spirited person but I was never as “free spirited” as when I was with them. Jay intrigued me so much that I wanted to be around them as much as possible. I thank God for the times we spent together. Jay, I love you and Ann and thanks for the journey, Rick Mathauser
My thoughts are with you all and i just had to get back in contact with you all. I can so remember our first meeting at the coliseum it was at a fury practice i was with Keith Smart helping out and after practice we went out to eat and that was the wonderful start to our friendship during the time since Keith and Carol moved we have only seen each other a few times as I was finishing up my teaching college after 25 years and moving on to retirement things. I have recently undergone cancer surgery and am now cancer free, and I know the strain it puts on the family but we must look at the positives and what wonderful times we can remember and never forget he is now your angel watching out for you. please keep this next part as I had this at my fathers passing which Jay came to and he loved this that We had out on table. Hugs from Our Angels in Heaven When you feel a gentle breeze Caress you when you sigh: It’s a hug sent from Heaven From our Angels way up high If a soft and tender raindrop Lands upon your nose: Our Angels added a small kiss As fragile as a rose If a song you hear fills you With a feeling of sweet love: It’s a hug sent from Heaven From our Angels up above If you awaken in the morning To a bluebird’s chirping… Read more »
Our deepest condolences.
Your friends at Circle X Theatre
Paige Lombard –
Our deepest sympathies go out to you on the loss of your uncle Jay. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Miss you Jay!
We miss you Jay!
Thinking of you all
~Argo High School Deans
Our Deepest Sympathies. Rest in Peace.
Our Deepest Sympathies.
Your friends at Atlas Capital Management
In memory of a wonderful man, business partner & friend.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Ann, Prayers and thoughts to you and your family.
My Deepest Sympathy,
Ann, We are so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. You have our deepest sympathy’s.
Worked for Jay for 2 yrs at the Illinois Rd location. Jay was the best. He was always so humble and professional. God speed.
I met Jay when I was teenager and he talked me into buying a car from him. He was such a nice person and alway great to talk to. Once I got into the business working at Autotrader he was the same person that I bought that car from ! Kind, great to talk to and just the type of person that would do anything for anyone. The city of Fort Wayne will have huge piece missing with Jay gone. He will be majorly missed and I’m very sorry to his entire family.