Vincent James Leseney passed into eternal life, surrounded by his family at his home in Norman, OK, at 11:45pm on June 20, at the age of 56, after a valiant fight against cancer.

Vince was born in Iowa City, IA on November 7, 1969. He was fond of saying he “gradually made his way down I-35”, leaving his childhood home in Des Moines, IA to attend William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, followed by earning a Master of Music from Oklahoma City University, to finally land in Norman, OK. Vince was Associate Professor of Voice in the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma. A dedicated and inspiring educator, he received the Irene and Julian J. Rothbaum Presidential Professor of Excellence in the Arts Award. A long-time music minister, he faithfully served as Music Minister at Northwest Christian Church in Oklahoma City and then at Memorial Presbyterian Church, sharing his gifts and ministry through music.

 A passionate singer and accomplished performer, Vince was a veteran of over fifty professional productions at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and Kansas City Starlight Theatre. Vince cultivated professional relationships as a guest artist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Cedar Rapids Symphony, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, for whom he directed the POPS Chorale. A lover of heavy metal music, he was the singer for Oklahoma City’s “Monument”; the groove metal band. He was passionate about “extreme singing” and mastered the art of this vocal style. 

Vince was an avid reader, music curator, music listener, and music chronicler. He was an exceptional backyard pitmaster who found joy and took great pride in the heat of the summer grill and the warmth of an autumn fire pit. Vince relished football season, following the game at every level, from his son’s Friday nightlights, Saturday college stadiums, to Sunday professional match ups. He was a proud and supportive father who always let his boys know that he was in the stands, audience, or arena by cheering with the unmistakable power of a metal frontman. He beamed with grandfatherly pride and found endless happiness in his beautiful granddaughter’s first year, radiating joy as he shared her photos and celebrated each growing milestone. 

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Mandy; his son, Alex and his wife Katie; his sons, Jack and Nate; his cherished granddaughter, Pippa; and his parents, Jim and Melinda Leseney.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma in his memory. lyrictheatreokc.com