Leon is preceded in death by his bride Wilma, his father Jerome (Bud) Rector, his sisters Ann and Doris, and his brother Selmon.
Leon is survived by his mother, Julie Rector. His children, Kenneth & wife Julia, Pam Edwards & husband Selby, Lee & wife Sandra, Teresa Beaman & husband Bob, and Mike. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Crickett & husband Scott, Aspen, Alex, Russell, Chanel, Max, Brian, Cari, Chelsea, and Deborah, and great-grandsons Jett and Maverick. He also leaves his sisters, Carole Rightmire & husband Donald, Kathy Lynch & husband Lloyd, Francis Parker & husband Bill, and his brother Lester, as well as his many nieces and nephews.
In his youth he joined the Texas National Guard. Later he joined the Army, serving in Germany and the Korean War, where he earned four Bronze Stars.
He loved playing his steel guitar as a member of the Texas Swingsters in the 1950s & 60s. He was a Life member of the American Legion, serving in the Color Guard and as Commander of Knebel Post 83. Over the course of his life, he worked on the railroad, enjoyed being a barber, and eventually retired from the State of Texas Senate Dept.
Leon loved his family and found great joy in opening his home to his grandkids, neighbors and any friend who needed a meal. He enjoyed being a shade-tree mechanic and loved fishing and gardening with Wilma.
The family would like to sincerely thank Tonya Maloy for all her patience and care to Leon over the last several years. Special thanks to Terri King for just being a part of the family and her devotion to caring for Leon as if he were her own father.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made in Leon's name to Austin Pets Alive, Hospice Austin, or the charity of your choice.
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