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Mr. Howard Kyle, A.M. Leonard’s patriarch passed away May 25, having lived 94 healthy and productive years, the company said. Mr. Kyle was a lifelong friend to the horticultural industry.
Mr. Kyle is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mildred. Other survivors include their 2 daughters, 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. One of the Kyles’grandsons is Gregory Kyle Stephens, current president of A.M. Leonard. Greg has worked side-by-side with his grandfather for the last 25 years as vice president and then president. He pledges that with the support of the company’s 95 employees, he will continue to maintain the standards of excellence and the traditions of high-level customer service that Mr. Kyle taught us all.
Mr. Kyle spent an unprecedented 76 years working in the horticultural industry, first in his family business with his father and then at A.M. Leonard. He was a member of many industry organizations over the years including the American Association of Nurserymen and the Ohio Nurserymen where he served as president. Mr. Kyle was seen as a legend in his own time and his wit and wisdom were known by generations of the family-owned businesses.
The company says employees will continue to think of Mr. Kyle and remember his leadership in their work every day.