Obituary for Leon White Jefferson
On February 3, 1953, the world was blessed with the arrival of Leon White Jefferson, born to the lovely Jesse Mae (Gardley) Jefferson and James White, Sr. He was one of twelve children.
Leon, affectionately known as "Jeff," attended Altus High School, in Altus, Oklahoma, where he found and claimed his high school sweetheart, Alice (Hartman) Dennis. During his studies there, he always managed to find time during his busy school day to walk Alice home from junior high school " he would skip his last class of the day. In the fall of 1971, after Leon graduated high school, Alice blessed him with his first-born child, a baby girl, affectionately known as "Peaches."
In 1972, he joined the United States Navy and served on the esteemed aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. It was the last conventionally powered carrier built for the U.S. Navy. During his Naval career, he served in Vietnam, traveled to exotic places around the world and successfully rose in rank to 2nd Class Petty Officer.
After returning from one of his deployments to Guantanamo Bay, he was stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here is where he met his bride to be, Lois Mae (Randle) Jefferson, when she nearly ran over him with her car at the Naval base. Soon after, on December 19, 1974, Lois and Leon were wedded in holy matrimony. To this union, they were blessed with two children; affectionately know as "Punkin" and "Bubba."
In the mid to late 80s, Leon was discharged from the Navy and continued his residency in Corpus Christi, Texas. Shortly after leaving the U.S. Navy, Leon and Lois separated and some years later, he returned to his home in Altus, Oklahoma with his companion, Nancy Garcia.
Leon was determined to live out the rest of his days as happy and healthy as possible. From his new companionship, he was blessed with two more children, one boy and one girl, born in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Leon lived out the remainder of his years in Altus, Oklahoma, where he has worked and served as the church maintenance man and has remained a dedicated member since August 2014.
"Jeff" was a charismatic, kindhearted, thoughtful and a loving father and friend. His greatest earthly joy was the smile of his children"s faces. He enjoyed being a handyman, working on cars and tools with small engines, as well as cooking cracking jokes, Dominoes, and of course, BBQ and football!
Leon made his final life journey on January 1, 2016, as he transitioned to his heavenly home and into his heavenly Father"s arms. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Coy-Gene and Harvester Jefferson, Connie Ray Gardley and Charles White, Sr. and one sister, Annie.
Those left to cherish his memory and continue his loving legacy are his wife, Lois Jefferson; his children, Kendra and Jared Jefferson, Russell (LaToya) Jefferson, Ramona (Quincy) Reed, LaVonna (Richard) Mims; three sisters, Frances Deloney, Beverly Lemon and Carolyn Black; six brothers, Geary (Jeanette) Jefferson, Dan Goodson, Clarence (Marcella) Jefferson, Donald (Bertha) Jefferson, Robert Jefferson and James White, Jr.; five grandchildren, Erin and Ethan Jefferson, Noah Jefferson-Reed, and Richard II and Cueneshia Mims; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and co-workers and endless friends that will miss him dearly.
01/08/2016
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Visitation
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus
OK
73521
01/09/2016
10:00 AM
Funeral
First United Methodist Church
Altus
OK
73521
Read More
Leon, affectionately known as "Jeff," attended Altus High School, in Altus, Oklahoma, where he found and claimed his high school sweetheart, Alice (Hartman) Dennis. During his studies there, he always managed to find time during his busy school day to walk Alice home from junior high school " he would skip his last class of the day. In the fall of 1971, after Leon graduated high school, Alice blessed him with his first-born child, a baby girl, affectionately known as "Peaches."
In 1972, he joined the United States Navy and served on the esteemed aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. It was the last conventionally powered carrier built for the U.S. Navy. During his Naval career, he served in Vietnam, traveled to exotic places around the world and successfully rose in rank to 2nd Class Petty Officer.
After returning from one of his deployments to Guantanamo Bay, he was stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here is where he met his bride to be, Lois Mae (Randle) Jefferson, when she nearly ran over him with her car at the Naval base. Soon after, on December 19, 1974, Lois and Leon were wedded in holy matrimony. To this union, they were blessed with two children; affectionately know as "Punkin" and "Bubba."
In the mid to late 80s, Leon was discharged from the Navy and continued his residency in Corpus Christi, Texas. Shortly after leaving the U.S. Navy, Leon and Lois separated and some years later, he returned to his home in Altus, Oklahoma with his companion, Nancy Garcia.
Leon was determined to live out the rest of his days as happy and healthy as possible. From his new companionship, he was blessed with two more children, one boy and one girl, born in 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Leon lived out the remainder of his years in Altus, Oklahoma, where he has worked and served as the church maintenance man and has remained a dedicated member since August 2014.
"Jeff" was a charismatic, kindhearted, thoughtful and a loving father and friend. His greatest earthly joy was the smile of his children"s faces. He enjoyed being a handyman, working on cars and tools with small engines, as well as cooking cracking jokes, Dominoes, and of course, BBQ and football!
Leon made his final life journey on January 1, 2016, as he transitioned to his heavenly home and into his heavenly Father"s arms. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Coy-Gene and Harvester Jefferson, Connie Ray Gardley and Charles White, Sr. and one sister, Annie.
Those left to cherish his memory and continue his loving legacy are his wife, Lois Jefferson; his children, Kendra and Jared Jefferson, Russell (LaToya) Jefferson, Ramona (Quincy) Reed, LaVonna (Richard) Mims; three sisters, Frances Deloney, Beverly Lemon and Carolyn Black; six brothers, Geary (Jeanette) Jefferson, Dan Goodson, Clarence (Marcella) Jefferson, Donald (Bertha) Jefferson, Robert Jefferson and James White, Jr.; five grandchildren, Erin and Ethan Jefferson, Noah Jefferson-Reed, and Richard II and Cueneshia Mims; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and co-workers and endless friends that will miss him dearly.
01/08/2016
5:00 PM
7:00 PM
Visitation
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus
OK
73521
01/09/2016
10:00 AM
Funeral
First United Methodist Church
Altus
OK
73521
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