Mr. Leon Harold Stern, born May 21, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan to Irving and Gertrude Stern. Died on December 23, 2003 in Dallas, Texas after a remarkable courageous battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Graduated from the University of Michigan in 1950. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951-1953. A successful entrepreneur and businessman, he worked in real estate, land development and business insurance, first in Detroit from 1954-1958 and then in Beaumont, Texas from 1958-1978. From 1978-1993, he served as vice president of Lexington Capital Group in Dallas. He was a charter founder of Texas Bank of Grand Prairie and served on its board until the bank sold. He co-founded Circle Appliance Leasing in 1993, which was later sold to a public company in 1997. He co-founded Contract Lease Management in 1997. Preceded in death by his parents and sister, Harriet Stern Baker. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Anabel Stelfox Stern of Dallas; two children, Merrick Stern of Houston and Slate Stern of Santa Fe, New Mexico; three step-children, Truett Hunt of McKinney, Texas, Faulkner Hunt of Lyme, Connecticut and Meredith Hunt of Austin, Texas; two daughters-in-law, Marianne Stern and Ann Lightfoot; two grandchildren, Kalon McMahon and Kirgan Hopkins; two step-grandchildren, Joab and Henry Hunt; and his beloved Tibetan terrier, Sha Sha. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity. A memorial gathering will be held on December 26, 2003 at 10:00 AM at the family home. The family will also be receiving at home after 1:00 PM that afternoon.