Friends, family and former colleagues lined up to remember Chuck Leonard at First Baptist Church Saturday January 10, 2026. Born Charles Leonard Mashburn September 1, 1954, he was known to the community as Chuck Leonard a longtime broadcaster and morning news anchor.
His friends and family said he was able to connect with people because he cared deeply about people. Leonard knew the people behind the camera by name, and he was remembered as a master trivia buff and jokester. “Chuck Leonard is in heaven and heaven will just have to adjust,” said pastor Jimmy Elder.
Jim Accordino said Chuck was his “phone a friend” for trivia matters noting that Leonard could recite the United States of America in alphabetical order and tell you who won the World Series and what year. Leonard would also pull occasional pranks with his prosthetic leg, not many people knew about. “I miss you Charlie,” Accordino said.
Leonard died December 19, 2025, after a brief illness and just one day shy of Chuck Leonard Day in Columbus. December 20, 2019, was declared Chuck Leonard Day when he retired after 38 years on air for the local ABC affiliate WTVM.
