Dr. Elroy M. Leach Sr.

March 2, 1945 - April 22, 2025

Elroy Maurice Wolsley Selassee Leach was born in Heathburn Village, East Bank Berbice, Guyana, South America to Jasper Leach (father) and Ruby Forde (mother) both of whom preceded him in death.

In 1968, Elroy married his lifelong partner and best friend, Joan Leach. Together they built a remarkable legacy of faith, love, and service over 56 years.

In January of 1969, Elroy migrated to the United States, pursuing higher education at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. He continued on at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio and ultimately earned his Doctorate in Economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Elroy accepted Jesus Christ as his saviour at the early age of 18. He has been on fire for the LORD ever since. On July 25, 1975, Bro. Leach moved to Chicago, Illinois to embark on his life’s work with the Christian Service Center. He accepted the position as the minister of Austin Church of Christ and the Director of Christian Service Center.

In this role, God’s light shined brightly within Dr. Leach. Dr. Leach pioneered services for the elderly, school age children, and everyone in between. He put his passion for education to use by curating and managing an after-school tutoring program for the neighborhood children. The program included an afternoon snack and tutoring assistance with homework. Dr. Leach also provided college prep assistance for children who finished their assignments quickly. Dr. Leach was the sole curator of the CSC’s summer day camp. A six-week program which provided yearly respite Tuesday-Friday for school aged children to experience the love of God through friendship building games, thought-provoking bible study, weekly access to the local swimming pool, and a weekly field trip. It was Dr. Leach’s goal to ensure this program was available to all, regardless of finances. To ensure that finances were not a barrier, all of these amazing programs were provided free of charge. Campers were only asked to contribute $10 per family for the entire summer and this “fee” was often waived if families could not afford it. Dr. Leach instilled in his children and those who watched him work, that caring for someone in need is the most loving and most important thing a person can do.

Every Monday from 1975 until 2024, Bro. Leach provided weekly Senior services, affectionately known as Senior Mondays. Bro. Leach and his amazing wife, Joan, provided bible study, song service, a nutritious meal, and craft project. This program brought purpose and ensured that they were seen.

Dr. Leach has been a vessel for whom God has used to walk beside many people in their trials, moments of despair, in their joys and moments of courage. He has been the vessel used to carry the broken along the way. For many of you, he has been the set of footprints who God used to get you to where you are today.

Outside his ministry, Dr. Leach was a tenured professor of Economics at Chicago State University, revered for his high expectations and unyielding support. Dr. Leach held his students to a very high standard and provided necessary encouragement and support to ensure his students rose to the occasion. He is affectionately remembered for allowing parents to bring their children to class with them. Dr. Leach did not believe in allowing anything to impair a person’s ability to educate themselves and succeed in life. Dr. Leach had a way of making his lessons come to life and bringing a level of understanding to the subject that allowed many students to fall in love with mathematics, specifically economics. His lessons made abstract concepts tangible and his encouragement changed lives.

A man of many talents, Dr. Leach was also a gifted guitarist, penning his first song at the birth of his daughter Paula. He loved the beauty of mathematics, catching crabs in the Berbice River, watching nature documentaries, and traveling the world—especially with Joan by his side and his grandchildren in tow.

His spiritual leadership was vast—officiating over 70 marriages and guiding hundreds of souls to Christ. His life was a steady rhythm of grace, wisdom, and service.

Dr. Leach is survived by his loving wife, Joan Leach; his four children—Paula Scott (Adrian), Elroy Leach (Kimberly), Roxanne Ross, and Lydia Jones (Chauncey); four siblings - Collette McCurdy, Winetta Ross (George), Terrence Forde (Robin), and Byron Forde (Vernel); twelve grandchildren; and a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. His impact cannot be measured in numbers alone, but in the love he poured into every relationship and the lives he helped transform.

We rejoice in knowing that our beloved Dr. Elroy Leach now rests in the eternal embrace of his Savior—the crown of righteousness shining bright upon his head. The words of the Apostle Paul echo in our hearts “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

His legacy of selfless love, unshakable faith, and Christ-centered service will echo through generations to come. Well done, good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SouthWestern Christian College in honor of Dr. Elroy Leach.

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