Obituary
David Michael Leeman passed away on July 9, 2020, a week after his 65th birthday, in Saint Cloud, Florida. Born in 1955 in Georgia to Kenneth Barker Leeman and Irene Blume Leeman, he spent much of his life in Westwood and Emerson New Jersey, before moving to Harmony, Florida in 2004.
Dave, as most knew him, served in the Navy after some college, and worked in several industries over his working life, including building, printing, and information technology. He was an avid reader and gamer, particularly enjoying a variety of board and card games, especially Advanced Squad Leader. Dave was a fan of old movies, science fiction, and had read widely about World War II. In youth, he played basketball often with his brothers, and continued playing “pick-up games” until his knees no longer cooperated. One of Dave’s favorite activities was singing in church choir, which he started in his teens and continued until shortly before his passing.
He was an animal lover and rescued many a stray dog as well as other animals and was very devoted to his own dogs and horses. He loved introducing other people to the horses, especially children, and sharing their special wisdom and energy. Dave was someone who spoke his mind, a trait that many people have said they admired about him. He had a wonderful and active sense of humor that brought levity to almost any situation.
Dave is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Kerul Kassel, his sister Lucille Connolly, brother Ken and his wife Barbara, brother Dennis and his wife Patti, brother James and his wife Barbara, as well as nieces and nephews Jeanine, Renee, Megan, Joe, Katyi, Chris, and Matthew, and 7 grandnieces and grandnephews. He is also survived by his beloved dogs Violet and Serafina, and his horses Goldilocks, Dakota, Kody, and Tuck.
Two memorial services will be held, one in Harmony, Florida, the other in Paramus, New Jersey, after the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. Donations may be made to First Nature Foundation (www.FirstNatureFoundation.org) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org).
Dave and his beloved Goldilocks