John Stanley Leavell, Jr.

John Stanley Leavell, Jr. was a man who held a passion for life and always had a smile on his face.  He was a skilled aviator and eternal dreamer who soared to new heights during his incredible journey of life, which came to rest on April 9, 2025, with his loving wife at his side, after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born July 15, 1963, at Garland Clinic & Hospital in Garland Texas, to Elizabeth Ray (Betty) Farmer and John Stanley Leavell, Sr.  Born into a world of elegance and charm created by his late grandmother, Marie Tavor Leavell, he grew up in Highland Park, Texas and inherited his parents’ class and sophistication.  John’s childhood was filled with a life rooted in refinement and compassion. His impeccable taste, warm demeanor, and unwavering kindness became the cornerstone of his identity to family, friends, and colleagues alike. In his early teens he spent one year at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.  In 1981 John graduated from Highland Park High School.  After time in the Air Force, John attended the University of Texas at Arlington and in 1987 obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration.
John’s first love was flying.  He proudly obtained his pilot’s license when he was a teenager, frequently riding his bicycle from his home in Highland Park to Love Field to take flying lessons.  John pursued his passion for aviation with unwavering dedication, logging countless hours in the cockpit, embracing the thrill of the skies, and inspiring everyone who witnessed his devotion to flight.  This resulted in him obtaining an airline transport endorsement and flight instructor certification early in his aviation career.  Over the years, he shared his enjoyment of flying with many friends and family by taking them up on winged adventures navigating the clouds and finding joy in every takeoff and landing.
For years, John was a highly respected member of the automotive and mortgage collection industries working at Santander Consumer USA (f/k/a Drive Financial Services), Carrington Mortgage, AutoNation, and Stellantis Financial Services.  John’s kindness and compassion in the workplace inspired everyone he met, and his legacy will live on in the stories shared by friends and fellow colleagues.  
John met Ellen Lynne Patrick in 2009, and it is very fitting that John shared his first love of flying with Ellen, ensuring their first official date included looking at Christmas lights over DFW.  John and Ellen soon married.  Together, they merged their passions for traveling, fine dining, flight museums, air shows, horseracing, golf, baccarat, and the beach, which took them to numerous destinations.  
John is predeceased by his father, John Stanley Leavell, Sr., mother, Elizabeth Ray (Betty) Leavell, and stepfather, Hugh E. Prather, Jr. whom he noted as having an enormous impact on his life.  John is survived by his wife, Ellen, sister Marie Leavell of Dallas, Texas, sister Elizabeth (Lizzy) Holliman (William) of Jupiter, Florida.  He is also survived by step-daughter, Kristy Patrick Parker of Kyle, Texas, step-son, Joe Patrick (Lyne) of Toledo, Washington, and four granddaughters, Shianne Patrick, Kate Parker, Riley Patrick and Hailey Patrick, mother-in-law, Eleanor Weber of Astoria, Oregon, brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Diane Bowers of Ruidoso, New Mexico, Karen and Patrick Conroy of Summerfield, Florida, Jim and Loretta Tucker of Vail, Arizona, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A private family service will be held in the future.  The family appreciates the condolences and encourages you to leave comments at Obituaries Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home | Texas.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in memory of John to the Faith Caring Fund/Forefront Living Foundation.  The Forefront Living Foundation supports the charitable work of Faith Presbyterian Hospice/T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center.  Donations can be made online at www.forefrontliving.org/giving-opportunities/donate-now/ or mailed to 12467 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75251.  
The family would like to thank the staff at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center and John’s care team, Dr. Haskell Kirkpatrick, Dr. J.A. Boyd, John’s care team and the staff at Texas Oncology Presbyterian Dallas, the Highland Park Class of 1981, along with other family and friends for the outpouring of support, prayers, and love during this difficult time.