The Chicago community is mourning the passing of Spencer Leak Jr., vice president of Leak & Sons Funeral Homes, who died at the age of 56. His death was confirmed by the family and the funeral home, marking the loss of a prominent figure in one of the city’s most established Black-owned family businesses.
Leak Jr. was widely recognized as a key leader in the long-standing funeral home legacy founded in 1933 by his grandfather, Rev. A.R. Leak. He represented the third generation of leadership within Leak & Sons, a business deeply rooted in Chicago’s South Side community and known for its commitment to dignified, affordable burial services.
From a young age, he was immersed in the family profession. He began working in the business as a teenager and later rose to become vice president at just 23 years old, helping guide the expansion and modernization of the funeral homes alongside his father, Spencer Leak Sr.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Leak Jr. was widely respected for his community involvement and mentorship. He was known for supporting families during some of their most difficult moments, often advocating for those who lacked financial means to ensure they still received dignified funeral services. His work also extended into broader civic engagement, including mentorship programs and community initiatives aimed at uplifting young people in Chicago.
One of his most visible recent roles was helping oversee the funeral arrangements for civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, an assignment that reflected both his experience and the trust placed in his family’s funeral home by major figures in Chicago history.
Tributes following his passing have emphasized not only his professional accomplishments but also his character as a husband, father, and mentor. Colleagues and community members describe him as a steady, compassionate presence whose leadership extended beyond business into service and advocacy.
Leak Jr. is survived by his wife, Dr. Donna Leak, and their two children, Spencer Leak III and Emma Leak.
His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Chicago’s funeral service history, but his influence remains embedded in the institution he helped build and the countless families he supported throughout his career.