Richard B. Leeper Sr., 67, of 50 W. 11th St., died at 6:05 a.m. Friday (Dec. 21, 2012) in WCA Hospital.

Coming to Jamestown at the age of 6, he was born April 6, 1945, in Crown, W.Va., the son of Calvin H. Sr. and Lena Mae Ferguson Leeper. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School.

He was employed for more than 39 years as a welding supervisor at the former Jamestown Metal Corporation until the time of its closing. He then worked at CAE Untrasonics for 12 years, before moving to Baltimore, Md., where he was employed by Turnbull Industries until he retired and relocated back to Jamestown.

He was an active musician with several area bands for over 48 years, the most recent being Rich Leeper and Soul Revival, the members of which referred to themselves as "The Old Man Band." He played the saxophone and keyboard, and was the lead vocalist.

A member of Blackwell Chapel, A.M.E. Zion Church, he was active with the music ministry. Always smiling, he loved playing with little children and enjoyed fishing on Chautauqua Lake.

Surviving are his wife, Kathie Johnson Leeper, whom he married April 28, 1963, in Jamestown; two sons: Richard B. Leeper Jr. of Jamestown and Jonathan B. Leeper of Indianapolis, Ind.; four grandchildren: Marcus and Malcolm Leeper of Baltimore, Md. and Lauren and Jonathan B. Leeper Jr. of Indianapolis, Ind.; four brothers: Wayne E. Leeper Sr. of Buffalo, and Ronnell D., Gregory T. and Calvin H. Leeper Jr., all of Jamestown; and five sisters: Calvinia H. Knight, Fannell D. Leeper, Gloria J. Murphy, Phyllis J. Kinsey and Diane E. Hicks, all of Jamestown.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janine Leeper on Dec. 17, 2004; his father in 2004; his mother in 2004; two brothers: Roger A. Leeper in 2008 and Manuel L. Leeper in 2012; and by several uncles, including Roosevelt "Smokey" Ferguson in 2012.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at Healing Word Ministries, 1006 W. Third St., Jamestown. The Rev. Annettte Hood will officiate. Inurnment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday in Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home. To send a message to the family, visit www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kidney Connection, Blackwell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, or to the American Heart Association.