Leroy Wise

Leroy Wise Jr. was born February 28, 1950, in Cincinnati Ohio to bless his parents Leroy Sr. and Josephine Wise. He departed this life May 1, 2023, after a gallant fight against cancer.

As a child, Leroy enjoyed sports and playing outside with his siblings and friends. Even at an early age, he demonstrated tremendous athletic prowess. That athletic ability was on full display during his years at Hughes High School. He was a guard on the basketball team, often leading his squad in scoring and to victory. Leroy graduated from high school in 1968, and immediately joined the United States Navy. In the Navy, Leroy was assigned to the firefighter aircraft crash response unit. For six years, he served his country with honor and received the National Defense Service Medal.

After his discharge from the military, Leroy returned home and began his career with the Cincinnati Public School System. His strong work ethic was exhibited daily, for nearly three decades, in his job in facility maintenance at various schools in the city.

Leroy was a man of few words, but when he spoke, he did so with truth and authority. He was a man of integrity and possessed a quiet strength. He was a caring, loving, gentle giant, but would go to war over his family. He loved his nieces and nephews, and never hesitated to step in as a father figure. Leroy was an ever-present constant in our lives. Whether it was a birthday party, graduation, wedding, or little league game, if you told him about it, he was coming. He cherished spending time with his family and could be found manning the grill or deep fryer for our family cookouts and fish fries. Playing Bid Whist, watching the latest title fight on pay per view, or a Reds or Bengals game, just won’t be the same without Leroy. He was a beloved brother, uncle, cousin and friend and we will forever cherish the good times, the laughs, and the love.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Kirk, Alfred, Leonard, and Keith Wise, his sister Yvonne Lett, his niece Yvette Williams, and his nephew Vincent Mathews. He leaves to adore his precious memory, his sisters Delores Gartrell, Patricia Orr, Verlinda, Vernita, Lenora, and Velita Wise; his brothers Louis Mathews, Ronald, Michael, Darnell, and Stephen Wise; his stepbrother and sister Larry Hardin and Sunella Hunter (Richard); his stepsons Kevin Paddy and Lionel Rogers; a host of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; cousins, and friends. Special friends Ronnie Hill, Dan Joyner, Robert Conwell, Tony Hardin, Michel Johnson, and Teddy.

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