People who
exhibit both ambition and motivation make things happen.
Leon T. Garris the person that stands apart from
the crowd, who charted
his own life path through diligence and a solid commitment
toward excellence. Mr. Garr is an unsung hero who not
only makes it happen for himself, but unselfishly for
thousands of people living in Los Angeles and Louisiana.
Even
at the tenured age of 76 years young he managed to make
time to form a business investment group that purchased
the failing Founders Savings and Loan Company, transforming
it into a top rated commercial lending bank. This bank,
which is currently known as One United Bank, includes
7 branches in Los Angeles, 2 in Florida and 1 in Boston,
Mass., making it the largest Black owned financial institution
in the nation.
Mr. Garr
has an impressive line of business operations including
private schools, childcare facilitates, senior residential
homes and a construction company. In addition, the Leon
and Mattie Garr Foundation Community Center which is
available for community events of 250 or more. The Leon
and Mattie Garr Foundation has awarded more that 100
scholarships to deserving pre-school families in the
last four years.
Leon Garr is a true testament of a man who has dedicated
himself to the principles of reverence to God, family,
community pride and the development of people in business.
Mr. Leon T. Garr is an indubitable unsung hero of the
20th century and an illustrative leader in the 21st
century.
Mr. Garr was married to the late Mattie Jackson Garr.
He has three adult children, 12 grand children, 8 great
grand children and 3 great-great grand children.
