Michael Lane Leeds, Jr.

Michael Lane Leeds was born on March 11, 1982, in Somers Point, New Jersey, to Nancy (Hurley) Leeds and Michael Lane Leeds. He grew up along the sandy shores of South Jersey, where some of his earliest memories were made spending time at his grandmother’s home in Brigantine and catching crabs with his dad near their home in Absecon and swimming in the family pool.

Michael grew up alongside his three sisters, who were never far from his side. Together, the four siblings were affectionately known as “the Leeds Kids”—a bond and identity they carried with them long after childhood.

Michael’s love for and devotion to Jesus Christ began at a tender age and became the foundation upon which he built his life. His faith continued to deepen throughout high school and college, where he studied music and the Bible. For Michael, faith was not simply something he professed; it shaped the way he loved, served, taught, and cared for the people around him.

Michael met his beautiful wife, Kuerstan (Grimball) in 2004, and they were married on June 7, 2008. Their marriage was rooted in their shared faith and love of the Lord. Michael served the church in many ways throughout his life, including working as a private school teacher at Champion Baptist Academy, Pilgrim Academy, and Granite Baptist Academy. He was integral in his role in children’s ministries and shared his gift of music by singing in church alongside Kuerstan. His calling to serve the Lord was unwavering.

Together, Michael and Kuerstan welcomed their beloved daughter, Kaia, on October 29, 2011. Becoming Kaia’s father was one of the greatest blessings of Michael’s life. His devotion to raising her with tenderness, patience, faith, and love was evident to everyone who knew them. He took great care to cherish, guide, protect, and lovingly mold the precious life the Lord had entrusted to him.

Michael had a remarkable way of making people feel loved. He blessed the lives of countless others through his warm heart, gentle spirit, kind words, generous nature, and, perhaps most memorably, the very best hugs. His faith was reflected not only in what he believed, but in the way he lived and the way he loved others.

Though Michael’s life ended far sooner than those who loved him could ever have imagined, the life he lived was rich in faith, family, music, service, and love. The seeds he planted—in his daughter, his family, his students, his church, and in the many lives he touched—will continue to grow.

Michael leaves behind a legacy rooted in the faith that guided him throughout his life: a love for Jesus Christ, devotion to his family, and a heart committed to serving others.

He is preceded in death by his Father, Michael Lane Leeds, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Kuerstan (Grimball) Leeds; his daughter, Kaia Leeds; his mother, Nancy (Hurley) Leeds; his sisters, Kelly (Leeds) Billings, Lauren (Leeds) Couchoud and Jessica Leeds; his nieces and nephews, Emily, Joshua, Isabella, Tyler, Lillian, Michelle, Jason II, Evangeline, Jackson, Nicolas, Owen, Gavin, Liam, Ethan, Everley.

A visitation will be held on Saturday August 29, at Mainland Baptist Church 512 S. Pitney Road Galloway, NJ 08205 from 9:30 to 11am. A funeral service celebrating Michael’s life will follow directly after visitation at 11 am. Interment will take place at Adams Cemetery in Port Republic.