Jack Leake: Network Coordinator for the Louisville Fire Department

by Emily Pauw

The Leakes have been at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church for many generations, but Jack Leake himself has been here since 1954. Our church has strengthened his faith remarkably, but he says that most of his trust in God came from his parents, and the example they set for him. Although he is a Network Coordinator for the Louisville Fire Department, he is also Crescent Hill’s church treasurer. You’ve probably seen him back in the office during church, counting bills with Ted Trautwein. This has positively affected his faith because of the dedication and commitment it requires.

Jack has Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia which is a condition where the signals from his brain do not reach his muscles. So while it is easy for me to put one foot in front of the other, he has to think about each step that he takes. This has made a lot of things in his life more difficult than they normally are. He says that he has asked God for a long time, why me? But eventually he decided to accept his condition, and to move on; this has done miraculous things by enhancing his faith and his life.

He has five grandchildren, one of which is Kim Leonard’s new baby girl. According to Jack, this has strained his faith in more than one way, mainly because of the craziness of 5 little kids running around his house. Looking back, he wishes he had done things differently concerning the discipline imposed on the children. But I agree with him, in thinking that God will sort everything out, and to just leave it in God’s hands.

Jack didn’t talk as much as other people I’ve interviewed, but I feel like everything he said had meaning behind it, and was well thought out. With my other interviewees, I have to shuffle through my notes and pull out the most noteworthy bits. But with Jack everything he said went straight into my final draft.