A R Leak Memorial Chapel

It's not something every funeral home can handle: With just over 2,500 families served last year between the South Side facility and a location in south suburban Country Club Hills, Leak can afford, just barely, to balance its books while keeping its commitment to an open door. “No mother should experience the death of a son on the streets of Chicago without having the ability to celebrate his life,” Mr. Leak says. He adds, however, that there are times when his charity causes his accountants and his sons to shake their heads in frustration. It's fortunate that at 76 years old, Mr. Leak has the stamina to live up to his conviction. Always dressed in a three-piece suit, he routinely works up to 14 hours a day, seven days a week. Two of his three sons also work at the funeral home. The oldest, Spencer Jr., 43, will succeed him as president, as Mr. Leak succeeded his father, the Rev. A.R. Leak, who founded the funeral home in 1933. Other family members help, too. On Friday evenings, Mr. Leak Sr.'s wife, Henrietta, often visits with families as they view their loved ones in one of the funeral home's three chapels or eight “slumber rooms.” If they're unhappy with the appearance of the remains, she will touch up the rouge, arch an eyebrow or paint the nails. Ask the elder Mr. Leak about the future of the funeral home and he points to a picture of his 9-year-old grandson, Spencer Leak III. “That's the fourth generation,” he says. While Chicago's homicide rate has fallen since the 1990s, it spiked last year, exceeding 500 murders, the most in the country, even higher than in much larger New York and Los Angeles. The violence is concentrated on the South and West sides, especially during the warm summer months. Crain's spent July Fourth weekend at Leak & Sons to chronicle the effect of gun violence on one business at the center of the issue.The commercial strip that the funeral home stands on still appears vibrant. But Leak's block has lost the African-American-owned floral shop, tavern an...

Seventh grader Justin Vinson was pictured playing his bass at Bob Courtway Middle School during the La Fiesta Orquesta fundraiserBryce Molder, a former Conway High and Arkansas amateur golf star came from behind in a 32nd position, to earn his 2009 PGA card, tying for third place for the Nationwide Tour Championship. No player in Nationwide Tour history had come from so far behind to gain his card.(1993)25 Years AgoRonnie Davis and Frank Fason of Conway Corp, were pictured fixing a leak on an eight-inch main on Oak Street.Dr. Don B. Bradley, director of the UCA Small Business Advancement National Center, was pictured speaking at a seminar on “How to Turn Walmart Into a Plus for Your Business” in the Burdick Business Administration Center.“The Pledge,” a musical dinner theater was presented by the youth choir at Harlan Park Baptist Church. Director was David Stanley.Bob Meriwether was named interim director of the state Ethics Commission. He retired in July as a Hendrix history and political science professor.(1968)50 Years AgoThe new Conway High School was burglarized for the second time in a week. The drink boxes were broken into each time for a total of around $15.Robert M. McHenry, Conway abstractor, was named administrator of the estate of Luther Goad, former Conway restaurant owner who died October 5. Goad bequeathed all his real and personal property to his sister, Mrs. Mae Goad Jones, according to the terms of his will.First State Bank & Trust was named the administrator of the estate of Dr. B.F. Banister, who had been incapacitated by illness for several months.(1943)75 Years Ago Lt. Raymond Mitchell, student at ASTC from 1938-1940 who had spent 19 months in China as one of General Chenault’s “flying tigers,” spoke before a called assembly of students and faculty at Ida Waldron memorial chapel. G. Dan Estes introduced the speaker.County school supervisor J.D. Bollen advised Faulkner County teachers that they should not overlook the valuable assets they have throug...