A man deeply woven into the history of Choctawhatchee High School and the Fort Walton Beach area has passed away.
James “Jim” Leonard died late Wednesday after taking ill a couple weeks ago. He was 89.
“His life was all about education and music and creating that love of music in other folks,” said his son-in-law, Bob Rockwell.
See Jim Leonard talking about the Choctaw band. >>
Leonard not only founded Choctaw’s band program and established the Style Marchers reputation, but helped name the school, select its mascot and write its fight song.
During the school’s 60th anniversary a little more than a year ago, Leonard was one of the first people inducted into its Hall of Fame. He also received special recognition from the Choctawhatchee Style Marchers Alumni Association.
“He was so proud of that,” said his daughter, Sherry Rockwell. “He really enjoyed that night.”
His pride echoes through a taped interview he did a few years ago.
“I’m very pleased with the fact that Choctaw is Choctaw,” a smiling Leonard said. “And really my life, you might say, is built around what Choctawhatchee High School and the band has done through the years and will continue to do.
“This whole area is a band center. I think my greatest pleasure … I take great pride, in realizing that Okaloosa County is generally recognized as not just the best band center in Florida, but one the best band centers in the United States.”
Leonard directed the band from 1952 to 1967. During that time it earned a reputation for greatness that was built on Leonard’s demand for perfection and responsibility in his students.
“You had to be up on the quality curve,” said former student Frank Goral, whose father, Ray Goral, was well-known for videotaping the Style Marchers.
He was strict in class, recalled Frank’s wife, Angela Goral. But if the reed on a student’s instrument broke, Leonard would provide a new one in the morning from his store, Playground Music.
Funeral arrangements had not been finalized as of Thursday night.
“We’re going to manage, hopefully, without him,” Sherry Rockwell said. “He was a trooper. He was a very stubborn man, but he had a big heart."
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.
