Charles Nelson Leek (Lansing)

Mr. Charles Nelson Leek passed away Sunday, May 5, 2024, at McLaren Greater Lansing. Age 96 years. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on Thursday, February 9, 1928, the son of Ernest and Hildred Joy Turner-Leek.

Charles was a lifelong resident of Lansing, Michigan. He was a former member of Bethlehem Temple of Lansing. He was known by his family as “Chooch” “Skillet” and “Charlie.” He grew up in the Hammond Street area where he attended Barnes Avenue Elementary School and Walter French Junior High School.

Charles began working at a young age, with his father, for McKay Coal Company in Lansing as a truck driver-light. He hauled coal in a 2-ton truck. In 1946, at the age of 18 years old, Charles enlisted into the United States Army, serving in World War II as a corporal in Korea. His specialty was automotive mechanic 104 Second Echelon. When returning to the United States, at the age of 22 years old is when Charles met the love of his life, Ms. Emogene Mae Kinnebrew. They were happily married for 70 years and were blessed with 8 children, 43 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great-grandchildren, for a total of 172 immediate family members. He always said,” He has Big Shoulders.” Charles worked at General Motors Corporation—Oldsmobile Division for over 30 years, retiring in 1982 as a dump truck driver. He loved swimming, fishing, camping, hunting, playing cards, drive-in movies, riding around viewing Christmas decorations, traveling, watching sports, golf, basketball, football, shopping especially for the butt of the ham. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends especially his grands, great-grands, and great-great-grands. Charles loved helping his children whenever needed, and he loved helping his neighbors with numerous vehicle repairs over the years. Also, there is an apparel line called the ConveAir Coat/Pet Harness company that is derived from a neighborhood nonprofit that Charles developed many props for. The LLC that owns and operates the production of the ConveAir Coat is named Charles N. and Emogene EM Leek, LLC in their honor. Charles’ children put a deck on the back of his house a few years ago. At the bottom of the stairs of the deck on the cement pad, is inscribed with his and Emogene’s initials—the date was May 5, 2021—he passed exactly 3 years later May 5, 2024.

Charles leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Harold (Diann) Leek, Ronnie Leek, Bryan (Linda) Leek, Michael E. Leek of Decatur, Georgia, and Leonard (Diann) Leek; daughter, Tanya D. Leek; Special sons, Walton Eugene Rush III and Carl Strickland; 43 grandchildren; 100 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Norma Williams of Lansing, Michigan and Joyce Lawrence of Kalamazoo, Michigan; special niece and nephew, Barbara and Frank Beverly; special nephew, Darryl Lawrence; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends.

Charles was preceded in death by his loving wife, Emogene Leek; daughters, Carla Leek and Victoria Kline; grandson, Archie Scates III; great-grandsons, Jemaris Leek, Jr., Jesse Kline III, and Ashton Griffin; parents, Hildred M. and Ernest J. Leek; sisters, Dorothy Lewis, Carol Leek, Helen Leek, and Kathrine Benford; brothers, Dennis Leek, David Leek, Sr., James Leek, Sr., and Ted Leek; parents-in-law, Otis and Ethel Kinnebrew.