It took a bit longer than expected, but persistence paid off for longtime local resident Danny Fox, as his proposal for giving an old park a new name has come to fruition.

Fox, who spent several years with the Escalon Police Department and later served as a city councilmember, went to the council with a plan to re-name Brentwood Park, at the corner of Justin and Mission in Escalon, for the late Bob and Dena Lease.

Fox said his rationale was the various parks throughout the city that are named in memory or honor of longtime local residents whose impact has been felt in the community. Among them, he said, are the Hogan-Ennis Park/Sports Complex along Escalon Avenue, Swanson Park at Swanson and Sophie, Latta’s Childrens Park at Oklahoma and California, and more.

In making the request of the council to change the name, Fox outlined the history for Robert ‘Bob’ and Dena Lease, noting that Bob was born and raised in Escalon and Dena moved to Escalon from Texas at a young age.

“Robert served in World War II,” Fox said. “After returning from the war he and Dena were married and eventually had two sons, Robert and Doug.”

They also later had grandchildren and Bob Lease was the proprietor of multiple businesses, first purchasing Emil’s Liquor and Sporting Goods in 1970. He moved the store from the original location a few years later, to its current spot at Main and Highway 120. Other businesses he was involved in were purchasing Manteca Liquors and building both Emil’s Motel and Emil’s Storage in the late 1970’s.

He was also a volunteer firefighter and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, both Bob and Dena were involved in the Dent PTA.

Fox said community recognition for the couple included being Grand Marshals for Park Fete in 1981, when they were also recognized as Business Persons of the Year, and receiving Citizen of the Year honors in 1995.

In 1980 they purchased 48 acres with a home at the end of Yosemite Avenue, the current Brentwood Estates, and some of the streets in the development were named for their grandchildren: Thaddeous, Nathaniel and Justin.

Fox said once the name change was approved by the council, a new sign for the park was ordered and then installed by a Public Works crew this summer.

“They were very important” in the history of the community, Fox said of the late couple, adding that he felt it was fitting to name the park in their honor, especially since it is located in the area where streets bear the names of their grandchildren.