Leonard Leo Stay

Leonard “Leo” Stay was a spirited young man whose life was defined by service, music, and teamwork. An incoming senior at Ocoee High School, Leo participated in the school chorus and had recently joined the wrestling team, where coaches and teammates remembered him as a positive presence who lifted others’ spirits. At Mt. Zion Tabernacle Christian Church he served as an usher, supported the church’s dance ministry, and mentored younger teens — roles that reflected a heart for helping and guiding others.

Friends, teammates, and church leaders remembered Leo for his leadership and care for his community. His pastor described him as having “the heart of a servant,” a teen who volunteered to help feed the homeless and who took joy in supporting those around him. Those who knew him spoke of a young life oriented toward giving and encouraging — small acts that, together, painted the picture of a teenager who took seriously the idea of helping others grow.

Though his life was tragically cut short on June 5, 2015, Leo’s impact remained evident in the many who gathered to remember him and honor his commitments to family, faith, and school. Memorial gatherings at his church and in the community celebrated the warmth he shared and the mentoring he offered to younger students. Those memories keep the outline of his character — generous, musical, athletic, and caring — firmly alive.

Because public records about Leo emphasize his community roles rather than lengthy personal histories, this remembrance focuses on those verified qualities. Leonard “Leo” Stay is remembered not for how he died but for how he lived: as a teenager who gave his time and energy to others, who sang and competed with pride, and who left a lasting, loving impression on his family, church, and school community.