Dr. Leo Victor English Jr. died peacefully at home surrounded by family. Leo was born December 31, 1919, to Dr. Leo V English and Elizabeth Baker English in Toledo, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Toledo, 1940; Howard University Medical School, 1944. While practicing medicine in Detroit Michigan he was drafted into the Korean War as Captain Leo Victor English Jr. and served 2 ½ years in Alaska.
In 1954 Dr. English decided to settle in San Jose with his family. Upon the move to San Jose he was unable to rent an office in medical building or buy the home of his liking. He bought a home near San Jose Hospital converted the front to a medical office and the back to the home for the family. Later in his career Dr. English and three associates formed an HMO where he served as medical director.
Community involvement included: 1960-1961 President of the San Jose branch of the NAACP; San Jose Police Chief’s Advisory Board; Santa Clara County Grand Jury. 1965 Leo and his wife Juanita were instrumental in finding summer housing for Selma, Alabama students. Recognition and awards include: 1991 Roll of Honor Citation Howard University Student Non-Violent, Direct Action to Desegregate Restaurants and Interstate Buses Washington D.C. in 1943 and 1944; 1959 “Distinguished Citizen Award” from San Jose City Council; 1964 “Annual Service Award” for outstanding and distinguished service in the field of human relations from the Anti-Defamation League Council of San Jose B’nai B’rith; 1972-1977 Santa Clara University board of Regents; 2002 Martin Luther King association of Santa Clara County, Good Neighbor Award.
Dr. English was a member of the Serra Club, which fosters and promotes vocations to the catholic priesthood. Dr. English was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and co-founder of Gamma Chi Boule in San Jose. He enjoyed traveling with his family and assisting his sons in 4-H club animal projects. Leo is survived by his loving wife Juanita MA ’75 of San Jose California, four sons: Leo English III (Karen); Isaac English (Sonia), James English ’75 (Mary ’76, MA ’79) and Paul English (Steven). He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.