Louis Paul Lecour Jr.

Louis Paul Lecour, Jr. Louis Paul Lecour, Jr., 86, died of complications of stroke and other health issues Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at his home in historic Riverview. His wife of 38 years, Peggy Ann Randles Lecour, was at his side. Mr. Lecour was born March 17, 1924 in Kankakee, the son of Louis P. and Jeanette (Granger) Lecour. He was a member of a pioneer merchant family in Kankakee. His grandfather, Joseph Lecour, founded the department store bearing his name in 1859. It was continually operated by the family for 105 years. During World War II Mr. Lecour served in harm’s way as a radioman in the U.S. Navy off the coast of England. A graduate of Kankakee Senior High School, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Bradley University, Peoria. “Paul loved Peoria as much as he did Kankakee,” Mrs. Lecour said, of why he elected to stay in central Illinois to start his retail career in automobiles. From a half-size city lot, Lecour’s evolved into Lecour’s Small Car World, which specialized in European sports cars including Triumph and MGs. A Volvo distributorship followed before he secured one of the first Toyota dealerships in the state. A business leader in Peoria, his businesses and other properties along Main Street helped to anchor the downtown area before, during and after the city’s Renaissance. He was known as the go-to guy for anything automotive, making weekly visits to the car auctions on the southside of Chicago and honing his respect for history to include an anecdote or two about the model of car that debuted in any particular year. Mr. Lecour loved to travel. He and his wife toured the U.S. and visited Sweden, Japan, Mexico and the Bahamas. In addition to his wife, Mr. Lecour is survived by his daughter, Lisa Lecour of Peoria, a sister Jacqueline Lecour Gibbons of Chicago, one niece Paula Hirsch of Missouri, a nephew Jed Gibbons of Chicago and two stepchildren, David Hammond of Vermont and Peggy Ann Swanlund of California. A niece, Laura Gibbons, is deceased. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley, The Salvation Army and Animal Haven-Kankakee County Humane Society. Cremation rites will be accorded by Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. A private service is planned.

Louis Paul Lecour Jr.

March 17, 1924 - January 11, 2011