Pat was born to Bernard and Patricia (Waggoner) Leon on January 30, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa. Except for a few years as a child, Pat lived the majority of his life in his family home located in the Valley Junction area of West Des Moines. When his parents retired, Pat and his wife, Robyn, purchased his childhood home, and it was there they raised their children.
Pat was a jack of all trades – the family “MacGyver”. Even in his failing health, he would talk his children through their latest car troubles or home projects. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals fan. Despite his quiet nature, he could strike up a conversation with anyone especially if it was about sports, his family, or how to fix something.
As a young adult, he served as a volunteer firefighter at the West Des Moines Fire Station. He began his career at Culligan Water Conditioning and spent many years there. Over the past 25 years, Pat worked in maintenance at various hotels around Des Moines, most recently the Downtown Hilton and West Des Moines Hampton Inn.
Pat’s greatest accomplishment was his family who he loved dearly. He loved seeing his children grow into adulthood, spread their wings in their careers, and build their own lives and families. He adored his grandchildren who often brought out the gentleness in him.
He is survived by his wife, Robyn; his children Lindsay (Kevin) Rains of Altoona, Jennifer (Benjamin) Milius of West Des Moines, and Nathan (Riley Schwienebart) Leon of Des Moines; and three grandchildren: Isaiah Rains, Ezekiel Rains, and Hannah Rains all of Altoona; and the beloved family dog (who he pretended to hate), Emmy.
He is also survived by his six siblings: Nick (Delia) Leon of San Francisco, CA, Bernard (Lynn) Leon Jr of Gilbert, AZ, Mary Leon of Ankeny, Julie Leon of Ankeny, Lynna (Robert) Frost of Chandler, AZ, and Paul (Angie) Leon of Gilbert, AZ; father-in-law, Robert Moore of Carroll; sisters-in-law: Rhonda (Sylvan) Mattes of Carroll, Bobbi Ashburn of Grinnell, and Renee Moore of Glidden; brothers-in-law: Kevin Moore of Arcadia and Cory Moore of West Des Moines; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Ardella Moore, and brother-in-law, David Ashburn.
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