LEE

Leahmon Lee, 97 from Longview, a beloved brother, uncle, and cousin, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 16, after suffering from bone cancer and dementia. We are forever grateful for the special gift knowing this good man.

Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. at the Clark Cemetery in Daingerfield, on Monday, Sept. 19. Arrangements were under the direction of Nail- Haggard Funeral Home. Service was led by Bro. Chad Thompson, pastor of South Union Baptist Church. Soloist was Ted Smith.

Leahmon was born on June 29, 1919 to Jimmy Lee and Ona Lewis Lee in Morris County, Texas. Leahmon is survived by his wife of 17 years, Ruby Reynolds Lee; one sister, Joyce Farris and husband, Don Farris of Lone Star; step daughter, Vicki Barton and husband Weldon Barton of Daingerfield; nieces, Kaye Sandlin, Jane Terrell, Aleeda Barton, and Greta Smith; nephews, Charles Hart, Don Farris, II, Kevin Farris, and Douglas Farris.

Leahmon was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Mozelle Harris Lee; parents, brother, James Lee; sister Betty Ruth Bass. Leahmon was blessed with good health until last year and lived a long life, outliving many relatives and friends.

Leahmon was a dedicated Christian, taught Bible Study, and attended church regularly for over 90 years. His life’s experiences gave him many stories to tell, and he enjoyed sharing them with everyone he met. He loved his family, nieces and nephews. He was an avid hunter, angler, and taught his nephews the love of the outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, growing vegetables, fruits, and melons which he generously gave away to friends and neighbors. His friends and neighbors could always expect to receive meat and fish from his many hunting and fishing trips. He was the proverbial good neighbor, willing to lend a hand and help others.

After graduating from Daingerfield High School in 1938, Leahmon attended Aircraft Mechanic School and Aircraft Electrical Specialist School. He proudly served his country in the Army Air Corp from 1941-1945 during WWII. During the war, he was selected to teach Aircraft Mechanical Engineering at Yale University to pilots before being honorably discharged in 1945. Leahmon was patriotic and loved his country.

He was always a hard worker, held many interesting jobs, and had many skills, first with his father, brother, and uncle in constructing new homes. After his military experience, he worked for Convair in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he performed electrical operations on B-36 bombers, and later worked for General Dynamics in their wind tunnel, then on to Arnold Air Force Station in Tennessee before moving to Pasadena, Texas where he worked for NASA. He proudly shared that he helped put the first man into orbit and helped put the first man on the moon. He proudly displayed the plaque signed by his NASA team in his home. After his retirement from NASA, he acquired a real estate broker’s license.

A light hearted note about Leahmon was that he was very thrifty. Having grown up during the Depression, he recognized the value of money. He was accused of still having the fist dollar he earned. Ahead of his time in thrifty living, he was halving paper towel sheets before select-a-size was invented. Yes, we were blessed to have known and loved this colorful man. He will be missed and long remembered by those whose lives he touched. His family wishes to express deep gratitude to Nathan Pilcher, the faithful night sitter, StayKare Solutions’ team of sitters, Mandy, Nell and Sara, for the superior care they gave Leahmon in his last months of life, and Kelly Womack of Hospice who was right there when we called her. Also, we want to express gratitude to Longview Missionary Baptist Church Cares Group for their ministry and support.

Memorials may be made to South Union Missionary Church, 159 Farm Road 997, Daingerfield, 75638.