Leonard V. Ladd Jr. was born in Kansas City on April 10, 1949 to Leonard V. Ladd Sr. and Mary Kathryn Stanley Ladd. He is survived by his sister Jody Ladd Craig, her husband Bill Craig, a nephew, John Craig and two nieces, Katy Craig Thompson and Emily Craig Mines, and their families, as well as numerous cousins locally and around the country. He attended St. Peter's Grade School and Rockhurst High School. From an early age, he showed a natural affinity for music and talent for the piano. He was not interested in any other career path beyond playing music and sharing it with others. He performed with numerous bands as keyboardist and vocalist in the Kansas City region and around the country. In spite of several chronic health conditions and the challenges of aging, Leonard continued to perform regularly with his band, The Cause, throughout the Midwest. He also was a regular participant in jam sessions at Knucklehead's and Christine's Firehouse.

Tributes to his life and music will be held at the Firehouse, 2012 Swift St., North Kansas City, on Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. and at Knucklehead's, 2715 Rochester Ave., Kansas City on Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m.. Visitation on March 7 will be at St. Francis Xavier, 1001 E. 52nd St., at 9:30, and funeral mass at 10:30 am.