Joseph Leonard Hargrove, prominent national church and diocesan lay leader, died July 16 at his home in Shreveport, LA, following a brief illness. He was 69.

Mr. Hargrove was born in Shreveport, LA. He was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy and a veteran of World War II. He was an independent oil and gas producer. Mr. Hargrove served on several committees for the Diocese of Louisiana and later Western Louisiana, was a deputy to six General Conventions, chaired the committee on national mission and the committee on refugees and immigration of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief. He was also a trustee and board member of the Church Pension Fund, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the University of the South, All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, MS, St. Mark's Day School, and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Mr. Hargrove is survived by his wife, Martha, three sons, eight grandchildren, his mother, and a brother.