Lenard Nathaniel Grier, Jr. passed away on May 15, 2024 at 43 years old, after a three and a half-year battle with cancer. Since his diagnosis, Lenard stayed disarmingly positive and courageous through all the treatment and discomfort. When visitors came, he’d instead ask how they were doing; when nurses passed through during long days and nights in the hospital, he remained courteous, patient, and light-hearted. A sense of gratitude permeated his journey with the disease.
Lenard was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland to Leonard
Grier, Sr. and Barbara Grier on February 4, 1981. To say that
he was proud of his hometown was an understatement. As a
young man, Lenard was known as a leader. It didn’t matter if
that meant leading in the classroom, playground, or outside of
school—Lenard didn’t back down to anything or anyone. That
palpable self-assuredness had an influence on anyone who
observed or followed him.
After attending Hampton University, Lenard began his career
as a financial analyst in the Baltimore area. During that time,
he met his eventual wife, Jyes Querubin, who was attending
University of Maryland Medical School. Together, they would
go on to make their home in Southern California, support each
other’s growing careers, travel the world, and raise their three
beautiful children, Liam (12), Alexandria (9), and Luna (6).
Following his diagnosis in late 2020, Lenard decided to pursue
his true passion as a career: fashion. He founded his own
company, No One Clothiers, a brand that embodied a number
of principles that he felt strongly about, including selfexpression,
honor and respect for one’s heritage, and
acceptance and love of all. Beyond the actual clothing items,
Lenard created a community of customers and partners—with
a large presence in Baltimore—stitched together by those
tenets.
Above all, Lenard was a devoted and caring husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. If there was a family event—and there were many!—he was there in full force. That’s because Lenard was a force: he brought his full self to anything he pursued, with an infectious degree of enthusiasm, conviction, and originality. There was no one like Lenard.
I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your presence and
support during this time. Your kindness and compassion during this
difficult time meant a great deal to me and my family.
The outpouring of love and sympathy we received from you and others
who attended the service was truly touching. It provided us with
comfort and strength as we mourned the loss of Lenard.
Your thoughtful gestures, whether it was a kind word, a warm hug, or a
simple presence, helped us navigate through the grief and begin the
healing process. Your support reminded us that we are not alone in our
sorrow and that there are people who care deeply about us.
Your efforts made the event a beautiful and meaningful tribute to
Lenard’s life, and we are profoundly grateful for everything you did.
As we continue to cherish the memories of Lenard and find solace in
each other's company, please know that your kindness will always hold
a special place in our hearts. We are immensely thankful to have you in
our lives.
What I know…….Lenard
I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to memorialize Lenard. Sharing his upbringing and a few glimpses into his childhood.
Lenard, was definitely spoiled however, we thought his parents were rich! But, he was a different kind of spoiled. Because he wanted to share everything he received.
Lenard was affectionately called Lennie Pooh, like Winnie the Pooh. Lol…..Aunt Bobbie gave him that name. But as a baby he had the most perfect round head and face! That all ran together! Not to mention cheeks for days! His first nickname was actually Uncle Festers. It’s amazing how Liam is the exact replica, literally a copy and paste of his Dad.
I’d like to also highlight, being raised at 4108. Our grandparents home, where we were more like siblings than cousins. Getting in trouble together for breaking the canopy bed, having chicken pox all at the same time except for Lee. Staying outside all day until the street lights came on. Waiting for the ice cream truck so that we could all get a $.25 push-up pop.
One of the best moments was going to Disney World! Lenard was there with us, just being a cute little kid. Those were some of the BEST DAYS!
Lenard was special and unique! He sometimes struggled with words that started with F’s, G’s, or L’s believe it or not. He out grew that…Lol.. I never saw a human being bite into a whole onion like an apple.He enjoyed it and I was grossed out. I was thinking this kid is strange.
Nevertheless Lenard was full of wisdom, personality and charm.
It wasn’t until around the fifth or sixth grade when he develops his style. He was supposed to have a class picture taken, and he asked my opinion of some clothes and shoes. I told him that outfit would look crazy, you got to learn how to coordinate, match your colors with your colors and you’ll look, cool. Trust me! And, he did! I didn’t know until he shared the story with me a couple years ago that and I helped to inspire him to get into fashion leading to the creation of No One. I will forever hold that close to my heart.
Honestly, I could go on and on about the crazy things that Lenard would do and the things Aunt Bobbie and Big Lenard never knew about. But he’s with her now…..
We will surely miss Christmas’ together, decorating the enormous tree that scraped the ceiling and never held a star, meeting at the cemetery to pray, a big Christmas breakfast and sorting hundreds of gifts. The laughter when someone (he knows who he is) put the wrong color bulb on the Christmas tree. Lenard redeemed him and said it’s okay.
Really, you good! (Smiling)
The love that Lenard shared would light up a room. Everywhere he went his smile was contagious, not to mention his giving heart.
Also, he thought he could rap a little and dance and was a good negotiator and a hustler for sure! It was his Dynamic Ninja personality!
Lenard will always be remembered for the way he loved his family , yes us, but most importantly Jyes, Liam, Alex and Luna.
Jyes, I had a flashback the other day when we came to your graduation party downtown at Pier 6. You are the peanut butter to his jelly and You made him better not bitter.
I am eternally grateful not only to share these memories. But, I was blessed to be able to spend time with Lenard before he transitioned. He laughed, and I fussed with him about eating and drinking. I saw how Jyes and her entire family navigated like a well oiled machine.
It was beautiful to watch and it exemplified LOVE at its core.
That’s the way family is supposed to be through the ups and downs good times and bad times.
Because one thing is guaranteed this life is short so LIVE it to the fullest. Love without restrictions and forgive quickly! Lenard did.
He fought a good fight and he is now free from pain and suffering.
Yes I miss him terribly! Still, I watched, I prayed and I believe that he is in a better place and I’ll see him again someday.
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
Gods garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough.
And the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered
“Peace BE THINE”.
Broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone
For part of us went with you
THE DAY
God called you home