Our sympathy is extended to the family of Clyde Leach

Services for Clyde Eugene Leach, 76, of Ada will be held Tuesday, July 8 at 1 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Ada. Reverend Dean Stone will officiate with Jim Sanders delivering the reading of the obituary. Interment will immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, July 7 from 5-7 p.m. at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mr. Leach passed away peacefully at a local assisted living center on June 29, 2025 surrounded by family.

Clyde Eugene Leach was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma on December 31, 1948 to Jesse Franklin Leach and Lena Irene (Philpot) Leach. Clyde, the youngest of four, grew up on the family’s 1,200-acre farm in Hughes County. It was there, 11 miles from town and along the South Canadian River, Clyde developed the skills, knowledge, and work ethic that would carry him throughout his entire life.

After graduating from Holdenville High School in in 1967, Clyde rode with a friend enrolling at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. As they walked through the halls, Clyde noticed a flyer on a bulletin board that caught his eye: “Learn to Fly-First Lesson $5.00.” That moment set him on a path that would shape the rest of his life. After attending Eastern, Clyde went on to graduate from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation. A lifelong entrepreneur, Clyde possessed a deep passion for business and keen instinct for opportunity. His first job as a professional pilot was patrolling pipelines for the Kerr-McGee Corporation and later as a crop duster, working with both Don Hall and Don Sharp. He later owned and operated Leach Agri-Sprayers, co-founded Lema Petroleum, sold insurance, and, most notably, co-founded Leachco with his wife, Jamie, in 1988.

In 1976, Clyde founded Leach Agri-Sprayers, Inc., a business that would take him all over Oklahoma and into parts of Kansas. He famously sprayed 29,000 acres in 11 days near Perth, Kansas. It was the crop-dusting business that truly shaped Clyde’s life. It became the early foundation of his stories and analogies, the backdrop for his encounters with God, and the source of many of the lasting relationships he built over the years. Over his aviation career, Clyde logged well over 9,000 hours of flight time and attained several certificates and ratings including private pilot license, commercial pilot license, instrument rating, multi-engine rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Certified Instrument Instructor (CFII).

In 1988, Clyde and Jamie co-founded Leachco. With God’s direction and guidance, Jamie’s creative and inventive mind, and Clyde’s business acumen and exceptional ingenuity, the business steadily grew and expanded worldwide, employing thousands of people over the years. When people praised Clyde for his success, he was always quick to deflect and give all the credit to God. Though Clyde achieved many remarkable accomplishments during his life, he was most interested in sharing his faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. Whether you were an acquaintance or stranger, being around Clyde made you feel like you’d just met a new best friend. Clyde led by faith every day of his life. Over the years, his office became a bustling thoroughfare, worn by a steady stream of people in need. They came for many reasons, some for light conversation, some bearing troubles too heavy to bear, some seeking wisdom, and others in search of God’s salvation after Clyde shared his testimony with them. He had a heart for people and touched countless lives.

A well-respected businessman and pillar in the Ada community for over 40 years, Clyde enjoyed visiting, ministering, and praying with people from all walks of life. Through the years, he faithfully supported numerous churches, Christian organizations, schools, and global missionary efforts. He anonymously sponsored several kids so they could attend Camp Goddard. He was extraordinarily generous with both his time and resources in ways that could never be calculated. For many seasons, Clyde was a beloved fixture on the fields as a head coach at the Ada Kiwanis Baseball League. He received multiple requests from area wide churches, schools, and clubs to come and speak and share his story and life experiences. He was a faithful supporter and avid fan of Ada Cougar Athletics, Ada City Schools, and the Ada Schools Aviation Program. Clyde was named “2022 Ada Area Executive of the Year” by the Ada Rotary Club. In 2017, Clyde and Jamie were named “Entrepreneurs of the Year” by the Wilburn L. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship at East Central University. Clyde also served in the National Guard and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, where he completed his basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). He was honorably discharged in 1977. For nearly 15 years, Clyde faithfully served as a commissioner on the Ada Airport Commission, contributing his expertise, vision, and passion for aviation. Clyde was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; sister, Imogene Harrington; grandson, Boyd Stephen Ballard; and nephew, Jeffery Michael Leach.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jamie Leach of the home; children: Mabry Leach Ballard and husband Stephen of Ada, Alex Leach and wife Megan of Ada, Andrew Leach of Oklahoma City, Jason Leach of Oklahoma City, and Erin Shaw of Oklahoma City; brother: Jesse Leach and wife Patricia Jo (Clifford) of Henryetta; sister: Sue Holliman of Oklahoma City; grandchildren: Olivia Ballard, Channing Ballard, Nash Ballard, Mac Leach, Collins Leach, Sam Shaw; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Alex Leach, Andrew Leach, Stephen Ballard, David Martin, Kevin Shaw, Michael P. O’Brien, Ron Stafford, and Mike Russell.

Honorary Pallbearers: Nash Ballard, Mac Leach, Elizabeth “Libby” Streater, Danny Davis, Mike Feezel, Jimmy Eppler, Paula Kedy, Steven C. Davis, Mike Miller, Earl Livingston, and all past and present Leachco employees.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Timothy Metcalf, Dr. Semira Charboneau, Dr. Ben Lynch, Dr. Grant Corning, Dr. Zack Broderick; the staff at Halo Hospice and Kyrie Assisted Living Center; and all those who provided compassionate care and support above and beyond for Clyde throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following organizations: - Cornerstone Kids Ranch (cornerstonekidsranch.com) - Cru (Cru.org) - Pacific Legal Foundation (pacificlegal.org)