John Leake

John Mayer Leake, Jr., 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Decatur, GA, on Dec 1, 2025, with his wife, Christiane, at his side.

John was born March 24, 1947, to Margaret Hamilton Leake and John Mayer Leake, Sr., in Atlanta, Georgia. He became an accomplished and decorated U.S. Army aviator who specialized in Boeing's CH-47 Chinook. His dedication to our nation extended 37 years, beginning with flights into combat situations in the Vietnam War. In 2008, while stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, he retired as Chief Warrant Officer 5.

He was an avid swimmer, equally at ease in water as he was in the air. He swam often and even developed his own creative styles of swimming. His passion instilled a profound joy of aquatics in his sons.

John was a cosmopolitan who traveled the world. In his travels, he made lifelong friends and ultimately met his wife. His curiosity, sense of respect, and desire to engage with people inspired him to learn the language and culture everywhere he went, which included much of Africa, Europe, and some of Asia.

He was a Renaissance man who practiced and shared his love for poetry, prose, conversation, and chess. One of his favorites, Mark Twain, once said, "Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with." Honoring John meant sharing in the joys he brought into our lives.

John, a loyal Georgian, returned to his childhood home in his final years where he and his father had planted three maple trees in the front yard 70 years prior. He strove to nurture those trees and the neighborhood that had given him a memorable childhood.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Christiane Leake of Decatur, GA; sons, Francis Leake of Nashville, TN, Frederic Leake of Burlington, NC; sister and brother-in-law, Myrick and David King of Atlanta, GA; niece, Courtenay Andrews of Cincinnati, OH; cousins, Pat and Nolan Leake of Atlanta, GA, Cheryl and Martin Canellakis of New York, NY; along with many other close family and friends.

He will be deeply missed, and his soul lives on in our hearts forever.

John's final resting place will be next to his father and mother in Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, GA.