Leon McDonald

Albert Leon McDonald, 84 year old life long Seminole County resident went to be with his Lord on January 21, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. He died on the same home place he was born on August 5, 1922 in the Twin Oak Community, north of Seminole to parents Martin D. "M.D." McDonald and Osa May (Hill) McDonald. He was the seventh of eight children.rnrnLeon attended Twin Oak School and then Varnum High School, graduating in 1940. He went on to join the the Civilian Conservation Corps. He worked in Colorado where he met his future wife, Marie Holm of Idaho Springs. They married there on December 12, 1941. They enjoyed 48 years together until her death in 1990.rnrnLeon entered the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served with the 453rd bomb group, 8th Air Force stationed in Old Buckenham, England. Upon his discharge in 1945 he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European Campaign Medal with eight battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.rnrnHe and Marie returned to Seminole after the war and Leon went to work for Gulf Oil Company, then for Kerr McGee. Leon retired from Kerr McGee in 1984 as a connection foreman out of the Cushing office.rnrnA faithful member of the Church of Christ, Leon served as a Bible class teacher and elder in congregations in Cushing and Little. He enjoyed collecting antique tools and several articles and photos were published about him and his hobby.rnrnLeon married Virginia "Betty" Freed on August 10, 1991 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Leon and Betty served on the site council board of the Seminole Senior Center where they were chosen as the site's Valentine King and Queen last year. They also enjoyed traveling together especially their Alaskan cruise.rnrnLeon was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Marie and children Kathy, Jennie, and Richard. All of the children died in infancy. Also preceding him are four brothers, Roy, Burnard, James and Hoyt, and sister Nola, as well as brothers-in-law, Floyd Willoughby, and Herman Bull, sisters-in-law, Lula, Myrtle, Esther, and Norma Lee.rnrnLeon is survived by his wife Betty of the home, his son Leon Jr. and his wife Ann of Shawnee, Oklahoma.rnrnThree grandchildren; Amy and husband Todd Foxx of Bettendorf, Iowa, Clay and wife Debbie of Piedmont, Oklahoma, Ryan and wife Dwan of Midwest City, Oklahoma.rnrnGreat grandchildren; Kellen, Garrett and Gannon Foxx, Madison, Mallori and Mason McDonald.rnrnHe is also survived by stepson, Jim Freed and his wife Beverly of Chickasha, Oklahoma, stepdaughter, Judy Babbit and husband Ron of Tulsa, Oklahoma.rnrnStep grandchildren; Janet and husband Jimmy Strate, Jerry Freed and wife Carmen, Lori Davis and Tyler Babbit.rnrnGreat grandchildren; Justin and Jared Strate, Vail and Vann Freed, Randy and Christina Davis.rnrnHis brother, Bill McDonald and wife Edna and his sister Lillie Willoughby all of Seminole also survive him.rnrn"Uncle Leon" is also survived by many special nieces and nephews and other friends who will greatly miss him.rnrnFuneral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Church of Christ at Little, Oklahoma. Rusty Dawson, Rob Babbit, and Bill McDonald will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Little Cemetery with military honors.rnrnCasket bearers will be; Steve McDonald, Bradley McDonald, Alex McDonald, Matthew Boydstun, Ryan McDonald and Clay McDonald.rnrnHonorary bearers will be; the elders and deacons of the Church of Christ at Little, Oklahoma.rn rnServices are under the direction of Sweraringen Funeral Home - 100 West Strothers Ave, - Seminole, Oklahoma 74868. Phone: 405-382-3456. Funeral Information: January 23, 2007, 10:30 AM