Famous Second Baptist Church preacher Leon Troy passed away. His memory will be appreciated by everybody who knew him. He was a well-known person and a former president of the Ohio Baptist General Convention.
He joins his beloved wife of more than 70 years across the Jordan River and leaves behind on this Earth a near-unmatched legacy of change, hope, and Christian service to the community.
Please keep the family in your prayers and allow them privacy during this time! Take a moment to read about his life journey and the reason for his death here.
Leon Troy, Sr. passed away at 94
According to a statement on social media from his family, Rev. Leon L. Troy, a well-known Columbus clergyman and civic activist, has passed away.
Troy served as the emeritus pastor of Second Baptist Church, Columbus’s first Black Baptist congregation. Midway through the 1970s, he was elected pastor of the church, a position he held until his retirement.
The news was broken by his son Eric J. Troy on social media who wrote that his father has passed away yesterday. Read the following emotional message by his son Eric.
On behalf of our entire family, it is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved General and Patriarch, Dr. Leon L. Troy, Sr. A God-fearing man, devoted husband, faithful father, loving grandfather, caring brother, uncle, mentor, trusted advisor, a dedicated and respected global servant leader, friend, and father figure to many…..a Man of Integrity.
He will undoubtedly be forever missed but his legacy and commitment to both justice and mercy guided his love for church & community and now resides internally within each and everyone he touched. True to form, on his own terms, he quietly transitioned Sunday afternoon following his Saturday induction into the Lincoln Theatre Walk of Fame…..but God!
We sincerely appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Please accept our heartfelt thanks and we respectfully ask for privacy during this difficult time for our entire family. Well Done Dad!
Who was Leon Troy?
Reverend Leon L. Troy attended Scott High School in Toledo after attending school there. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
He graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A., Oberlin Graduate School of Theology with a B.D., and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with an M.D. In San Francisco, California, he attended the San Francisco Theological Seminary to further his education.
Leon Troy services to the community
He also won the 1997 Temple Israel Humanitarian of the Year Award and an honorary Doctor of humane letters degree from Ohio Dominican College. Rev. Troy has served as a pastor in Ohio four times.
The First Baptist Church in Oxford, Ohio; Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sandusky, Ohio; Second Baptist Church in Warren, Ohio; and the historic Second Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, which is commemorating 171 years of philanthropic service. He has been a minister for 50 years and a pastor for 40 years.
In 1983, Mayor Dana G. Rinehart appointed him to be her special assistant for community affairs. Additionally, he served as Columbus’ first Black fire chaplain and was honored with the Governor’s Award for Community Actions in 1974 by former Ohio Governor John L. Gilligan.
He was raised in Cleveland and graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Arts, the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology with a Bachelor of Divinity, and Vanderbilt University with a Doctor of Philosophy.
Troy also served as a minister at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Sandusky, the First Baptist Church in Oxford, and the Second Baptist Church in Warren.
The following are a few of Leon Troy‘s achievements at the Second Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio:
- Pastor Troy was a recipient of the United Negro College Fund’s Distinguished Service Award. Rev. Troy has dedicated twenty-five years of leadership service on behalf of the United Negro College Fund in three cities: Sandusky, Ohio; Warren, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio. He is very proud that three of his five sons, one niece, and one granddaughter, are products of the United Negro College Fund Colleges.
- The largest buyer of property within a three-block area of the Second Baptist Church (29 parcels).
- Led the congregation in the building of a Million Dollar Educational Wing.
- He established the Columbus Laboratory School for students, Kindergarten through Sixth grade, with particular stress on individualized learning with a staff of ten persons. The school was certified and licensed by the City of Columbus.
Personal Life
Rev. Troy is married to the former Berniece Jordan (75 years). They are the proud parents of five sons; Leon L. Jr., Keith A., Adam K., Eric J., and Jay Scott (deceased). They have three daughters-in-law, Brenda, Victoria, and Gayle. They also have eight grandchildren; Myeshia, Tiffane, Andre, Shanece, Kendall, Armand, Aris, Raykale, and seven great-grandchildren.
Tributes paid to Leon Troy
Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin posted,
Reverend Leon Troy Sr. Was an icon in this community. I’m grateful for his leadership and the legacy he has left behind including his service in the halls of City Hall. Rest well good sir! Keeping the Troy family lifted in prayer.
Todd Johnson Former Prince of Zmunda wrote,
Saddened to hear this news, but rejoicing in his well-deserved rest. What a giant in the Kingdom! Rev Leon Troy will be deeply missed by so many, including Second Baptist Church – A House of Hope and the Warren community where his impact and imprint are still felt over 45 years after his departure. Rest well, sir. Well, Done!
Ed Gordon journalist wrote,
We lost one of a great generation in our family. Dr. Leon Troy, Sr passed away yesterday at the age of 94. This was us sharing a moment earlier this year (still full of energy). Moreover. he is a man of the cloth, husband, father, educator, and community leader in Columbus, Ohio he was one who didn’t just talk about it. Our family is fortunate to have had his example of what a true man is about. RIP, job well done and we’ll take it from here.
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