Leon Benjamin Sanders, Jr. was born on October 2, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York to Leon Sanders, Sr. and Alice Sanders. He passed away June 24, 2017.

Leon attended public schools in New York. He joined the Army in 1973 and was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas serving his country for three years in the states and overseas. He was honorably discharged in 1976. He frequently visited Dayton, OH where his father, mother, siblings and other family members resided. He married Linda Johnson in 1986, and made his home in Kansas. They later divorced.

After leaving the military Leon was employed as a security guard at Menninger’s Psychiatric Hospital; Head of maintenance at First Presbyterian Church; he then he accepted a position in maintenance and HVAC at Aldersgate Village where he met lifelong friends who later referred him to the same position at Silver Lake Bank. He was also employed and retired from Capper Foundation where he assisted clients with their daily life activities.

He was a member of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ where is was ordained as a deacon.

Leon had a contagious smile and a soulful laugh. He enjoyed traveling when possible, spending time with his grandchildren, reading the bible, attending church, as well as church centered activities, and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Sanders, and his father, Leon B. Sanders Sr.; brother Steven Sanders, and sister Mary Sanders.

He is survived by his only son, Thomas M. Tadlock of Topeka, Kansas, daughters, Christian Allen of Dayton, Ohio, La’Kiesha Sanders of Topeka, Kansas, and Cierra Grisby of Dayton Ohio; sisters, Lynette Pleasant of Dayton, Ohio, Ramona Sanders of New York and Gloria Sanders of Dayton, Ohio, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and beloved friends.