Obituary for John H. Leeland
John (Jack) Hudson Leeland of Perkasie, known for his quick wit and kind heart, lost an unexpected battle with cancer. He passed peacefully 3/22/23 surrounded by relatives at Doylestown Hospital, which provided exceptional care during his short stay. He was 77.
Jack is survived by siblings, Mike, Tom (Carole), and Beth Ann Bachmann, uncle, William Miller, nine nieces and nephews, and many first cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Cindy Lou (Mitchell), his son, John Adam, and parents, John Rehman Leeland, and Marilyn Margaret (Miller).
An exceptionally talented drummer, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1964. After completing basic training, he successfully auditioned for the prestigious Drum & Bugle Corp. During his four-year military service, Jack performed at ceremonial events at the White House, across the country, and abroad. Later in life, while working at Leeds & Northrup Co., North Wales, he formed a weekend band.
Jack eventually launched his own company in Horsham and for many years traveled to China, Australia, and other countries to assemble and install sophisticated circuitry boards.
An animal lover, Jack adored his dachshund, Jake. He owned horses at various times in his life (most recently a Tennessee Walker named Shuffles) and was once a familiar face at Haycock Stables, Perkasie. His other interests included music, motorcycles, fishing, and keeping up with world events via Fox News.
In his retirement years, and until just months before his death, Jack loved his job transporting and aiding students with physical and emotional disabilities for First Student, where he was affectionately called “The Colonel” and “Juke Box Jack.”
In addition to First Student, Jack forged many other friendships through Living Hope Community Church, Dublin, American Legion Post #255, Sellersville, German Hungarian Sportsman Club, Hilltown, Pennridge Community Center, Perkasie, and Original Dominick’s restaurant, Perkasie.
He will always be missed and never forgotten.
A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held at 11:00am on Thursday March 30, 2023 at the Wayside Chapel on the grounds of Whitemarsh Memorial Park. The family will receive friends in the Chapel from 10:30am until the time of service. Internment will follow.
Jack is survived by siblings, Mike, Tom (Carole), and Beth Ann Bachmann, uncle, William Miller, nine nieces and nephews, and many first cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Cindy Lou (Mitchell), his son, John Adam, and parents, John Rehman Leeland, and Marilyn Margaret (Miller).
An exceptionally talented drummer, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1964. After completing basic training, he successfully auditioned for the prestigious Drum & Bugle Corp. During his four-year military service, Jack performed at ceremonial events at the White House, across the country, and abroad. Later in life, while working at Leeds & Northrup Co., North Wales, he formed a weekend band.
Jack eventually launched his own company in Horsham and for many years traveled to China, Australia, and other countries to assemble and install sophisticated circuitry boards.
An animal lover, Jack adored his dachshund, Jake. He owned horses at various times in his life (most recently a Tennessee Walker named Shuffles) and was once a familiar face at Haycock Stables, Perkasie. His other interests included music, motorcycles, fishing, and keeping up with world events via Fox News.
In his retirement years, and until just months before his death, Jack loved his job transporting and aiding students with physical and emotional disabilities for First Student, where he was affectionately called “The Colonel” and “Juke Box Jack.”
In addition to First Student, Jack forged many other friendships through Living Hope Community Church, Dublin, American Legion Post #255, Sellersville, German Hungarian Sportsman Club, Hilltown, Pennridge Community Center, Perkasie, and Original Dominick’s restaurant, Perkasie.
He will always be missed and never forgotten.
A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held at 11:00am on Thursday March 30, 2023 at the Wayside Chapel on the grounds of Whitemarsh Memorial Park. The family will receive friends in the Chapel from 10:30am until the time of service. Internment will follow.