Marjorie “Tiny” Ann Leach was called Home by her Lord and Saviour on July 13, 2023. She was born on January 10, 1930 at the family home on what was then the outskirts of the City of Austin, to parents Charley Ross Leach and Mattie Anna Thiele Leach. Her mother passed away when Tiny was only nine years old, so the balance of her rearing was undertaken by her father and her four older brothers – James, William, Robert (“Bobby”) and Norman – all of whom have predeceased her. Together they shared responsibilities in operating the C. R. Leach and Sons Dairy – the last family-owned dairy in Travis County to offer home delivery. Her responsibilities at the dairy grew as each of her four older brothers enlisted to serve during World War II.
Tiny was a proud graduate of Austin High School, Class of 1948. She embarked on an illustrious career, starting with tooling leather at Buck Steiner’s Capitol Saddlery. Along the way, she participated in women’s rodeo and also became an expert golfer, winning City of Austin championships, and the Texas Women’s Championship in 1966.
Tiny opened Tiny’s Western Shop in 1960, and for forty years thereafter outfitted working cowboys, politicians, celebrities and hard-working Austinites in stylish yet practical western wear.
After Tiny retired from the retail business, she continued to run her cattle ranch in Bastrop County. She sold her first ranch to make way for the Hyatt Lost Pines, where she is commemorated at its Wolfdancer Golf Course. She then acquired another ranch upstream on the banks of the Colorado River where she continued to raise cattle, including her favorite, Erlita.
Tiny remained extremely active in the Texas Women's Amateur Golf Association (TWAGA), including serving as president and chairman. For many years, she served as director of its annual championship tournament and made many close TWAGA friends.
Tiny is survived by the beloved children of her four brothers, their children and grandchildren. She had an unforgettably colorful persona, and her memory will live on. A service and celebration of life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress, with interment at historic Oakwood Cemetery (Annex). Donations in her memory may be made to the charity of donor’s choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Leach family.
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