Leonard was the middle child of 13. His father, mother, and grandfather were all Mormon pioneers. His father and grandfather crossed the plains in 1865 in a wagon. His grandmother was stolen by Indians while crossing Wyoming, and her body was never found. Leonard grew up hearing first-hand pioneer stories from his father, mother, and grandfather.

He served in the US Army in France during The Great War, WWI, in Company C 362nd Infantry 91st Division. Leonard was actively involved in battles, but never spoke much of it. Once, he confirmed that he had "shot a Heine in the hiney," but did not enjoy talking of war or killing.

He returned from France, marrying Geneve Arnold on April 11, 1922 in Price. She was also descended of Mormon pioneers. In time, they made their home just off Main Street in Wellington.

They were the parents of seven children, of which only one died as a child. Billy died of diptheria at 18 months of age.

In time, Leonard opened a grocery store with a meat locker and a Phillips 66 gas station, which they ran most of the rest of his life, the only grocery store in Wellington. The family all worked in the family businesses.

Leonard was an active member of the American Legion, serving in several Commander positions. He performed services at funerals for many, many veterans. In his 70s, he was asked to run for National Commander of the American Legion. He chose not to do so because of his declining health, thinking he would not live to serve out his term. He was right.

He was familiar with firearms and knew their function. One time, he was threatened by a "button man" from organized crime, which was rampant in Carbon County, who wanted him to pay for protection. The man was standing in front of the check-out counter when he made his demand. Leonard pulled a shotgun from under the counter, a weapon that had been pointed at the man when he made his threat, and let him know he thought he was adequately protected, thank you. The man never returned and never made eye contact with Leonard when they ran into each other thereafter.

When asked about the war in Vietnam, he provided a new perspective to those protesting. He said, "I'd rather fight the commies in Vietnam than in California."

Leonard honored all veterans, working tirelessly, along with his family to maintain and upgrade the Wellington Cemetery. He placed flags on veteran's graves every Decoration and Veteran's Day. The land for that cemetery, where he is buried also, was donated to the city by his grandfather, Frantz Christian Grundvig.

Leonard suffered from diabetes, which eventually took his life, before his term with the American Legion would have been filled, just as he predicted. He died in the VA hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. He said that a soldier has two chances to give his life in the Army, once in the battlefield, the other in the VA hospital. He got out of the war in one piece, but not the VA hospital.