Hundreds gathered Saturday at the House of Hope in Pullman for Spencer Leak Jr., the vice president of Leak and Sons Funeral Homes, who died unexpectedly last week after more than 45 years in the family business.
Hundreds of mourners lined up Saturday to pay their respects as Spencer Leak Jr.’s celebration of life unfolded at the House of Hope in Pullman.
For the South Side’s Black community, Leak wasn’t just a funeral executive. He was the person families turned to when the hard part was already done but grief still sat heavy. Leak, who died unexpectedly last week, helped lead Leak and Sons Funeral Homes for more than 45 years.
Friends. family. and community members gathered to offer final farewells to Leak. the vice president of Leak and Sons Funeral Homes and a pillar of the South Side’s Black community. Among those in attendance were Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, who arrived to pay his respects.
Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was also among the many mourners. He described Leak’s death as a “tremendous loss” for the community and said Leak played a vital role in providing comfort to countless families during some of their most difficult moments.
“It is Spencer Leak Jr. who is responsible for the reconstruction of those who’ve been lost, so that they can have dignity at their funerals, whether they’re rich or whether they’re poor,” Jackson Jr. told the Sun-Times.
Inside, Leak’s casket stood at the center of the sanctuary, surrounded by white roses and ribbons in the funeral home’s signature black and gold colors. The lengthy service included a choir and reflections from several Chicago faith leaders, including Rev. James Meeks and Rev. Michael Pfleger.
Members of the Leak family stood at the front wearing black as they greeted mourners, shook hands, and accepted condolences.
Elder Tyrone Willis, who’s worked as a painter at the Leak funeral homes for over 25 years, said Leak was a man of “good rapport” who impacted many lives. Willis, 75, said Leak never turned anyone away.
“He didn’t turn away anyone,” Willis said. “His legacy will always be remembered by what he has done in the community and the love he brought to this city.”
Willis said he had worked at all three of the Leak funeral homes and that it mattered to him personally to pay his respects to a family that had always made him feel welcome.
Sharon Rowe shared a similar memory, saying the Leak family had helped direct funerals for her relatives, but it was Leak Jr. who “made you feel like you were family.” Rowe, 55, of Beverly, said, “He handled the services of people’s loved ones with such care. He had such a kind, empathetic touch.”
For decades, Leak and Sons Funeral Homes served a wide range of notable Chicagoans. Their portfolio included services for soul singer Sam Cooke. comedian Bernie Mac. rapper Juice WRLD. and drug kingpin William Morris “Flukey” Stokes. Earlier this year, the funeral home hosted the Rev. Jesse Jackson funeral.
The company’s story stretches back to 1933, when the Rev. Andrew Leak—Leak Jr.’s grandfather—started the funeral home with what he saved from working as a bathroom attendant at the Chicago World’s Fair and a loan from his wife. Andrew Leak said he wanted Black Chicagoans to be able to bury their loved ones respectfully. He ran the business with his three sons, including the youngest, Leak Sr.
After Andrew Leak died in 1993, Leak Sr., now 88, took over as president and owner and renamed the business Leak and Sons. Leak Jr. began working there at a young age.
Leak Jr.’s son, Spencer “Tre” Leak III, started working for the family’s business just days before his father died.
Leak Jr. earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mortuary science and funeral service at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He became a licensed funeral director in 1989 at age 20. He ascended to vice president of Leak and Sons in 1993, before his 24th birthday.
Spencer Leak Jr. Leak and Sons Funeral Homes House of Hope Pullman JB Pritzker Brandon Johnson Jonathan Jackson Jesse Jackson Jr. James Meeks Michael Pfleger
Damn, that’s really sad. Prayers to his family.
I saw “Black and gold” and thought it was like a sports thing at first lol. But still, hundreds showing up says a lot. Gov and Mayor being there is wild.
Wait I’m confused… Spencer Leak Jr is a funeral director but why are politicians like JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson involved? Like was it some controversy or something? If it was just unexpected death, I don’t get the big names.
It’s touching that people lined up, but I always wonder how these “celebration of life” things work—like does everyone actually get closure or is it more for the community optics? Also the part about “rich or poor” makes me think there’s some financial help angle, like he was charging everyone the same? I hope his family is okay, though. RIP Spencer Leak Jr.