My sincere condolences to the Ingraham family in the loss of your husband, father, brother, son and friend, Leonard. His sister Beverly and I have been best friends since our years as college students. Having known both their Mother Ophelia and Father Woodrow, Leonard seemed to me to be a perfect example of the best qualities of each of them. I will remember always his warm spirit, his towering stature and big- hearted smile. I pray that his family will find solace in the memories of all the wonderful moments shared.

My deepest condolences for your loss. I knew Leonard through his brother Kenneth from our school days. I remember his always full of energy and joy.
I know he was a joy to his family. Rest in peace.

My name is Curtis Stout. Leonard and I lived in the same neighborhood as children. His brother Kenneth was my best childhood friend. I haven't seen Leonard in several years but whenever I encountered him as a child or adult, his positive energy was always present. I know he will be missed by all who knew him. I am grateful our paths crossed during our life's journey.

The Stout family sends our condolences to the Ingraham family.               
                                      Curtis Stout

I have known Leonard almost all my life. He was a big part of the Cody, Meade, Lawley Street crew. My deepest sympathies to all of the Ingraham Family. Leonard was one of the "good guys". He will be missed!

May you find comfort in these words found at Job 14:15 which says: "You will call and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands." Jehovah is eagerly awaiting the day when he will bring our loved ones we've lost in death back to life.

I will always remember your kindness, and the love you always showed me.
I loved you dearly and will see you again.
RHONDA

My condolences to the Ingram family

I met Leonard through a friend/neighbor of his. I used to joke about how alike they both were, coming from same part of town. My friend (Reggie) also left this world too soon. Both had the same sense of family responsibility, helpful to all they met and left you with a smile on your face.
I was sorry to hear of Leonard's passing. He seemed like the “salt of the earth” to me, very intelligent, wise beyond his years and FUN, FUN, FUN to be around. This earthly world lost a “good man.”  We will all miss Leonard, but fortunate that we knew him and will keep him alive in our hearts and memories.

Uncle Leonard...I remember you wrote and recited a poem for your mother's funeral it was very touching. I am not as talented but I found a poem to honor you and those you so effectively loved and cared for.
The Fallen Limb
A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again.
Author Unknown

Love you Uncle Leonard ❤

Grandpa Leonard ....I loved how he'd call Sotero and Carmen his "Suggah Woogahs" ❤❤ Such an epitome of a good man! I'm beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to be apart of his life. I have so many good memories to reflect on. He gave those kids and me so much LOVE. I will miss the check in on you calls, attending ALL there special events, his advice, his hugs and encouragement.
I love and misssss you grandpa!! Can't wait to see you again!!!❤❤❤❤

Daddy has been in my life and a father to me and my younger sister Bernisa since I was 4 years old when he met my mother. I vividly remember their first date. My sister and I were sitting in the back seat of his burgundy Ford Mustang. They went to White Castle. Lol. And I remember they were so involved with each other talking that they forgot about us. So I got to do whatever I wanted to do while sitting in the back. So what did I do? I loaded my burger with a packet of salt for no apparent reason other than the fact that I could, and nobody stopped me. It was horrible. The worst burger in my life. I couldn't eat it. Never did that again. Lol. From that day on, he never left from my life. I have so many cherished memories of him and all that he has done of all of us. The time he spent with us. The gifts he constantly gave us. His choice of music. His cooking. His words. His counsel. It all shaped my life. He took us all by the hand and took us with him on his road to the future. He was our ambassador to our new life. Him and my mother gave us two little brothers. They had two tall handsome sons together, Tavares and Damein. I always wished I was tall like them. Lol. 

Daddy was a great provider and protector. I always called him daddy until the last time I saw his face, just days before he passed. I got a chance to speak to him on a cell phone while looking through a glass door where he was in care facility. I hated with a passion not being able to hug him because of the restrictions we are living through. He asked me to run to the store for some of his favorite snacks; potato chips and cheese popcorn. So I did and thankfully got to spend a little bit more time with him.

All of my life daddy taught me to be independent and to plan for the future, to value money and to take care of my family. Daddy was an amazing man. He was cultured and loved and lived life to the fullest. He knew how to stop and "smell the roses", to slow down and enjoy the now. As I write, everything is hitting me all at once. All the lessons unspoken. All the lessons he taught by action and by just being him. 

Things that you will always find my father doing are the things he loved; cooking, enjoying fine food & spirits, listening and dancing to his music, watching a good movie or ball game, grilling, watering his garden, grass and flowers, traveling around the world, taking pictures, listening to others, and breaking bread with family and friends.

Since his passing I have spoken with many people that knew him from high school, a cousin, co-worker or a neighbor. There is a common thread with all of them. They all say he was a very kind person, always helpful, selfless, easy to talk to and fun to be around and they always had long conversations with him. They went on and on about him and felt they just could not say enough. I spent hours on the phone listening to how wonderful my father was and the impact he had on all of them from a family member to someone who was a local store owner he frequented to someone who sat next to him in dialysis. Everyone he touched felt better than they did before. EVERYONE LOVED LEONARD

My father was also a very courageous man and didn't roll over and take anything from anyone. I have many stories to attest to that. He was never a "yes man". He was proud and strong. Proud of his heritage, proud his family and all of their accomplishments in life no matter what they did. He often spoke out against injustices in the world and shared his experiences with us children. I payed attention to everything. I learned from him and valued all of his words, now more than ever. His memory is my treasure now. 

Daddy I love you and miss you dearly and wish you were still here. I will forever love you for taking two little fatherless children out of the Jeffries Projects in as your own, and giving them a life and new family they would have never had. You gave us an auntie, uncles, cousins and a wonder grandma and grandpa and great grandma "Big Mama". Thank you for being there for us all of our life. Thank you for choosing us and sticking with us through the thick and the thin. Thank you for being a wonderful, warm and loving grandfather to my children. We all look forward to seeing you again soon when "...The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear His voice and come out” - John 5:28,29

Your son,

Sotero

To the Ingram family,
You have our sincere sympathy for your loss. Not being able to gather in a house of mourning or Funeral Home for physical comfort no doubt makes this time especially difficult. We hope you are comforted by scriptures found in God's word, the Bible. One reason this book was preserved for thousands of years was to help comfort us through sorrow. As you reflect on fond memories, please know our heavenly father in his perfect memory also yearns to replay and restore your father's life.

Eccl 7:2, Rom 15:4, Job 14:15, John 5:28, 29

Love, John and Erika Griffin

…ON LEONARD

Many thoughts come to mind when reflecting on the light of a life now dimmed: How do we consider the measure of a man? Was the sum of the life larger than its parts? Was it a life lived well? In remembering my brother, Leonard Ingraham, his was a life well lived. He was a larger than life personality (literally and figuratively); full of contradictions; gregarious, with a chuckle of a laugh; and self-effacing. In short – he was human. Unique in his totality.

Yet, what I will remember most about my brother is his irrepressible spirit of generosity. He embodied a natural sense of caring, always had a kind word to offer, giving more than he took. He was encouraging, selfless to a fault Smiled more than he frowned.

We were born a year apart. I was the “slightly” older brother. As children, we slept, fought and tussled in the same bed. As adults, our lives took divergent paths – all too distant paths, but brotherly love was always the connective tissue that joined us at the proverbial hip. When I returned to Detroit after college, it was Leonard who bragged about his older brother “Tony," making introductions on my behalf that set me on a path to a position in the administration of Mayor Coleman Young.

Leonard excelled as well, rising up the ranks in the city’s Engineering Dept., where he developed a command of city ordinances and regulations; becoming the “go to person” for department attorneys.

Yes…Leonard gave more than he took. More than often, expecting nothing in return, but respect and love. He opened many doors for others as well, offering a better chance, a better life.

Leonard loved to cook, eat, drink, travel. He was smart, articulate, personable, a conversationalist, easy to meet people. Most importantly, Leonard loved his family, his siblings, his extended family, and was a bridge between generations.

He was my brother, whom I loved dearly and will miss timelessly.

Certainly his light will shine bright in the firmament.

~Ken “Tony” Ingraham

You father was one of the finest men I met in my young life. We met while we were students at Pershing.

Whenever I encountered Leonard he was always upbeat and positive. Men like that are the most confident men I know.

I am very sad to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to your family.

Walter O'Bryant

Leonard, you were a couple years ahead of my in high school but you always looked out for me. Thank you for being a good role model.

My condolences to the Ingraham family.

Billy Blackburn

Dad, missing you, celebrating your Birthday, hearing your voice, you being nosey (smile), you asking me what I cooked, missing our conversations. I MISS YOU. Poo Pott

With deepest sympathy as we remember my Uncle Leonard. I was saddened to hear that Uncle Leonard was ill. I have many wonderful memories of Uncle Leonard. It was truly a pleasure having him in my life. I remember the long talks about life, going to Belle-isle, the Dressing with oysters and I had to eat my pizza down to the bone crust and all and the fireworks. I remember when Pookie's old boyfriend Eric the police officer, caught Uncle Leonard in the alley with the fireworks. Uncle was so scared, but when you saw Eric he was so glad! Lol...I was his "Lita squitter". Thank you Auntie Connie for marrying Uncle Leonard. I'm holding you all in my thoughts, and prayers.