Chicago has lost a significant voice in its community. Spencer Leak Jr., vice president of the historic Leak & Sons Funeral Homes, has died at the age of 56. His family confirmed the news. The Spencer Leak Jr. death 2026 marks the end of a life deeply tied to one of Chicago’s most enduring and respected institutions — a business that has served the city’s Black community for nearly a century and carried a legacy reaching back to the Civil Rights movement itself.
A family legacy rooted in service
Leak & Sons Funeral Homes was not simply a business to Spencer Leak Jr. It was a calling passed down through generations. His grandfather, the Rev. A.R. Leak, founded the funeral home in 1933. The Rev. Leak started the business after recognizing that Black families in Chicago could not afford to bury their loved ones with dignity. That founding vision shaped everything that followed.
The Civil Rights movement ran through the family’s history as well. The Rev. A.R. Leak provided limousine service to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his time in Chicago. He also led a march to desegregate Oak Woods Cemetery, one of the city’s most prominent burial grounds. That history of activism and community service became part of the Leak & Sons identity that Spencer Leak Jr. inherited and carried forward.
Spencer Leak Jr. was one of three sons of Spencer Leak Sr. He grew up working in the family business from boyhood. That early immersion gave him a foundation that shaped his entire professional life.
His education and professional achievements
Leak Jr. pursued his passion with formal credentials. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mortuary science and funeral service from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. In 1989, he became a licensed funeral director. From that point forward, he helped build Leak & Sons into one of the most operationally significant funeral operations in the Chicago area.
The Illinois House of Representatives recognized his contributions in a 2024 resolution honoring his 55th birthday. That resolution credited him with meaningful advances in technology and operational efficiency at the funeral home. Under his leadership, Leak & Sons managed more than 3,000 funerals annually across the Chicago area. That number reflects not just the scale of the operation but also the depth of trust the community placed in the Leak family name across decades of service.
A man known for giving back
Beyond his professional role, Leak Jr. built a reputation as a generous and committed community member. The Illinois House resolution specifically noted his generosity of spirit and his consistent commitment to giving back. One of his most meaningful contributions came through his membership in 100 Black Men, an organization focused on mentorship and positive development for young Black males. He served as a mentor through that organization, investing personal time and energy into the next generation.
Just this past February, Leak Jr. appeared on CBS News Chicago to discuss the passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Leak & Sons handled and coordinated the funeral services for Rev. Jackson. Leak Jr. shared that he had been present with the Jackson family in the moments immediately following the reverend’s passing. That conversation offered a glimpse into the quiet but profound role he played in some of Chicago’s most significant moments of loss and remembrance.
He leaves behind a close family
Spencer Leak Jr. is survived by his wife, Dr. Donna Leak, and their 2 children, Spencer Leak III and Emma Sophia Leak. Leak & Sons Funeral Homes continues to operate at its location at 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing community, as well as locations in south suburban Country Club Hills and Matteson.
For nearly a century, the Leak family has helped Chicago grieve with dignity. Spencer Leak Jr. spent his entire life honoring that mission. His passing leaves a significant void in both the industry he served and the community he loved.
Source: CBS News Chicago
Leave a Reply