Leonard Lee Piel, 82, was born on June 24, 1943, in Irene, Texas, and passed away on May 17, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.

Leonard grew up in Bynum, Texas, and graduated from Bynum High School in 1961. After high school, he attended Tarleton State University for two years before transferring to Texas Tech University, where he completed his degree. While attending both Tarleton State and Texas Tech, Leonard was involved in ROTC.

It was at Texas Tech that Leonard met the love of his life, Kathie. The two were married on February 11, 1967, and together they built a beautiful life centered around love, family, service, and faithfulness to one another. He often said that his wife, Kathie, made him a better man.

After college, Leonard was commissioned into the United States Army. He served during the Vietnam conflict and was in Vietnam in 1968. Leonard served as part of a Medevac unit and flew on a UH-1H Huey helicopter. He was brave and courageous, earning both a Bronze Star and an Air Medal for his service. After completing active duty, Leonard continued serving in the reserves before he and Kathie made their home in Arlington.

Leonard worked in several roles before finding his long-term career with Graybar Electric in Dallas. At Graybar Electric, Leonard found a career that fit him well. He was a gifted salesman who knew how to build meaningful relationships with his clients.

Leonard had a laid-back, easygoing personality. He was welcoming, kind, and never in a rush. He could talk to anyone and had a gift for making people feel special and seen. Whether visiting with wait staff at a restaurant, helping a neighbor, or striking up a conversation with someone new, Leonard was always making connections.

Education was very important to Leonard. He was one of the first in his family to receive a college education, and he understood the value of that opportunity. He was proud to help provide that same opportunity for his children, Andrew and Misti, with Andrew attending the University of Texas and Misti attending Texas A&M University.

Leonard loved to travel. When the kids were younger, he spent a lot of time taking them camping to explore state parks. Later, his goal became visiting as many national parks as possible. Retirement brought new frontiers of international travel. He made it a priority to enable his children and grandchildren to travel, often gifting money at Christmas just as his father had done for him.

At his heart, Leonard was a down-to-earth country boy who enjoyed fishing, hunting arrowheads, fossils, and spending time outdoors. He was driven, responsible, generous, and humble. Leonard and Kathie made First Presbyterian Church Arlington their church home.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Herman Piel and Lydia Schulz Piel.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Piel; son, Andrew Blake Piel and wife, Anna; daughter, Misti Leigh Pichon and husband, Allen; sisters, Sharon French, Kathleen Abbott and husband Buddy; grandchildren, Elena, Lara, Dylan, Ryan, and Ethan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wade Funeral Home. A graveside service honoring Leonard's military service will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.