Bobby Dean Leach

Bobby Dean Leach, 77, of Hamilton, passed away Tuesday, September 17 at a local nursing home. Bobby was born in Hamilton County on February 26, 1936 to Virgil and Mable (House) Leach. He attended school in Hamilton all of his life, graduating in 1955. Growing up in Hamilton, Bobby, his brother Donnie, and his father, Virgil, ran the three picture shows around town. After high school, Bobby joined the United States Army. In the Army, he was trained as an airplane mechanic just like his father. Bobby served on a map-making mission to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He was very proud of his time in the service, and it served as the basis of many stories for years to come. Upon leaving the Army, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Jackie Juanita White, on January 29, 1957. They made their home in Hamilton County for over 55 years. Bobby worked for Bechtel, an oil & gas company in Saudi Arabia in the 1960s. Once back in the states, Bobby worked in his father’s mechanic shop before opening his own, Bob’s Garage on Hwy 281 North. 18-wheelers were a way of life for Bobby. A husband and wife team, Bobby & Jackie would travel the roads between Texas & California hauling cattle for LeRoy Beach. When he began spending more time fixing the trucks he drove, he soon traded the highways for his own shop, fixing trucks for local business people and friends like Merlin Bottlinger. Bobby made a living doing what he loved. When physically unable to mechanic, Bobby began to do what he loved most which was farm and ranch. Leasing places all over the countryside, he raised cattle and plowed the land. Cows, horses and plowed fields were his passion. He loved to watch the fields he planted produce hay and grain. Farming was what brought Bobby through many challenges set in his path in the later years. Farming only took a back seat to family in his life. Jackie and his only daughter, Patricia Diane Leach, were his world. A devoted husband and father, Bobby was always there. Although he faced poor health in the last few years, he was a fighter until the very end.

Bobby is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jackie Juanita Leach and one daughter, Patricia Diane Leach of Hamilton. He is also survived by one brother Donnie Ray Leach of Hamilton and nephews Jimmy Leach of Hico and Mike Leach of Hamilton as well as other great-niece & nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Mable Leach and one great-niece Ashley Leach.