Leonard Daniel O’Mire was born to Cora O’Mire and Daniel Webster O’Mire in Crandall, MS, on October 2, 1929, the youngest of their five children. After a short illness, he passed away peacefully with his beloved wife, Sandra, by his side on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the age of 95. Having grown up during the Great Depression, Leonard valued the importance of family, hard work, gratitude, and generosity. At the young age of 19, his work ethic and desire to take care of his family led him to enlisting in the National Guard Service. He served in the 7th infantry division, 31st infantry regiment, 115th anti aircraft battalion during the Korean War from 1951-1953 and was a decorated combat war veteran. After he was honorably discharged from the military, Leonard began to explore various business ventures as he grew his family. He married Delores Fontan and had two daughters and a son. His passion for health and exercise led him to opening fitness studios in Jackson, MS, Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Palm Beach, FL. He also dabbled in marketing while working for several newspapers from Jackson, MS to St. Petersburg, FL designing and selling ads. As he worked hard to provide for his family, a mentor of his encouraged him to get involved in the insurance business, and he began working for World Insurance in 1961. After a short time with World Insurance, he was promoted to a general agent position over his own insurance agency in Jackson, MS, on April 1, 1963. Within 5 years, his agency was the top in the country. His business, L.D. O’Mire Insurance, continued to grow and expand into one of the largest life and health insurance agencies in the region, and he continued a successful business for nearly 60 years. Through the years, he trained thousands of agents, and he loved to meet personally with clients because he believed so passionately in serving his policyholders with a personal touch. Leonard was recognized by the Governor of Arkansas for his philanthropy, as well as by the Retired Teachers Association of Mississippi and Louisiana for his service to teachers. He often said, “Teachers are my favorite people.” Leonard also served as Founder and CEO of Affordable Direct Life, a company offering low-cost burial insurance nationwide, and he was past president of the Better Business Bureau. A leader in his community, Leonard often spoke to groups of retirees regarding their insurance options. He shared his passion for physical fitness and longevity, and wrote a guide for Seniors on daily exercises to strengthen muscles and build bone density. Leonard loved God, his wife Sandra, and his family. He was an avid reader with a love of history and wellness, and his favorite hobby was exercising. Well into his nineties, he continued his aerobic workouts, walking regime, weight lifting, and yoga. His favorite activities involved visiting with his six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. You could find Leonard on his porch swing or around his dining room table sharing stories and wisdom with those he loved. He will be remembered for his great generosity, passion for helping people, deep faith, and positive outlook on life that he often shared with those around him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Cora O’Mire; his first wife, Delores Fontan O’Mire; his siblings Dewey O’Mire, Laverne Crawford, Roy O’Mire, and Clara Bell. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sandra O’Mire; children Cheri Moore (Bill), Pat O’Mire (Cindy), and Sharon Eller (Alex); and his six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Leonard will also be missed by extended family including cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends and colleagues who he mentored and impacted throughout the years. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 21, from 12:00-1:00 pm with the funeral service immediately following at 1:00. The visitation and funeral will be held at Old Town Wesley Methodist Church in Ridgeland, MS. Leonard’s family, wishing to honor his love for Old Town Wesley Church, asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the church that deepened Leonard’s faith and serves the Ridgeland, MS area. More information about giving can be found on the church’s website: http://ridgelandfirstumc.org/