Leonard loses battle to Lou Gherig’s disease
By: John Taylor
Source:
01-29-2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim Leonard loved sports. On the gridiron, the diamond or the court, Leonard was one of the best performers of his time. The 1982 Madisonville High School graduate played quarterback, outfield and relief pitcher.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Leonard loved the Vols and Tornadoes and watching the smallest athletes at Kefauver Park.

Madisonville High School became part of Sequoyah High and the Chiefs became Leonard’s favorite team. His loyalty was rewarded; the baseball field at Sequoyah was named “Tim Leonard Field.” In June of 1993, almost 14 years ago, Leonard learned he had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. There is no cure.

To his brother Danny, Tim once said of ALS, “I have on an iron suit.” Though his body grew weaker, Leonard never gave up. He wasn’t made that way. His cousin Amy Tester said, “I felt so sad...I felt sorry for him. But he had a completely different outlook .... and soon made me feel good.”

That is one thing other than athleticism people remember about Tim Leonard. A neighbor he rode with to little league said, “Tim was always well-behaved and neat and clean, a little gentleman.” His brother Danny Leonard remembers: “Tim was beloved by his community and he loved them. He wanted to help others.”

He participated in telethons on Chattanooga and Knoxville television stations. “He was a fighter,” Danny Leonard said. “People would visit to cheer him up and they’d be the ones uplifted, because he loved people.”

Leonard said his brother gave 100 percent to whatever he did. “That iron suit couldn’t hold Tim down, spiritually he trusted the Lord, that’s how he made it through. Tim will be very much missed but won’t be forgotten.” Tony Hawkins was on the mound and Tim Leonard in the field when the Tornadoes came within one strike of a state championship in 1981. That team, and the one Leonard played on in 1982, were the foundation for the State Champion Tornadoes of 1983.

Hawkins had said his friend was a great player and an unselfish team player. “He was quarterback and I was a receiver, the paper called us the Leonard to Hawkins connection,” said Hawkins. “He was so accurate he made it easy.”

“He was a leader in the huddle and off the field–one of the greatest guys I’ve ever known,” Hawkins continued. “It was appropriate they named the field at Sequoyah ‘Tim Leonard Field.’ “That bad disease wasn’t supposed to happen to guys like him, but with his positive attitude he never gave up. That was like a game when we were behind and in the huddle Tim would say, ‘Don’t give up!’

“I hear his voice say that every time I think of the battles he fought. Tim knew how to confront bad times–he put his Lord first. He strengthened us all. As I viewed his body, I thought of his smile–his love for all. That’s how I’ll remember Tim Leonard.”

Mac Coley coached the Tornado baseball team when Tim Leonard played. “Tim Leonard was really intellectual and a really good athlete,” said Coley. “It’s hard to describe how big- hearted he was–he would help anybody in a word. He was the kind of kid you’d want your kid to be around. He never showed ill will toward anyone.”

Coley described Leonard as a fierce, determined competitor. “His attitude was whatever it takes, we’ll do it. Anything I asked he did and I didn’t have to watch. In a game Tim would get in a zone. When I called on him to pitch in relief he’d get so pumped up I’d have to calm him down.

“After his graduation we became good friends and told each other our troubles. It seemed like I talked to him 10 times more than he talked to me,” said Coley. “Tim came to Kingsport to watch my son play and he had just found out about his disease. But he was never bitter–he was a good Christian man who knew no fear. Tim Leonard was unique, he could have done anything he wanted.”

Now Leonard’s body will not be present on the sidelines, behind the backstop or in the gym. But for fans, teammates, coaches and the little ones he loved to watch, Tim Leonard’s presence will always be felt. People touched by Tim Leonard’s life can remember him with a contribution to the Tim Leonard Scholarship Fund, c/o Citizens National Bank, Madisonville. It will go each year to a student who exemplifies Tim Leonard’s characteristics.

John Taylor may be reached at taylormadetalk@yahoo.com.

http://monroe.xtn.net/index.php?tabl...&newsid=147789