Arthur Leon Magner

Surrounded by loved ones, Arthur Leon Magner went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 02, 2015 as a result of complications from a fall. Leon was born to Charles and Lucille (Watts) Magner on August 07, 1934 in Wichita, Kansas, where he lived until graduating from North High School. Following high school, Leon attended Wichita University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. It was during his tenure at WU that Leon met the love of his life, Judith Kay Eastman, whom he was faithfully married to for 57 years. With Judy by his side, they embarked on a 20 year journey serving in the United States Air Force. Early in his Air Force career he completed his academic studies earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado and a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona.

After completing his service in the United States Air Force, Leon retired as a Lt. Colonel. During their service in the Air Force, Leon and Judy made countless enduring friendships. Relocating to Austin, Texas, Leon began his 22 year career working for IBM, where he developed still more lasting friendships. While living in Austin, Leon and Judy embraced The University of Texas sports program. They were avid Longhorn fans having season tickets to football, baseball, and volleyball games and were annual attendees of the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Leon strategically moved to Austin so that his children could attend the University of Texas. However he shared his children and grand-children with the rest of the Southwest Conference, supporting Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and finally UT. Though his loyalty was with UT, his passion for education enabled him to ensure that all of his children and grandchildren were able to attend the university of their choice.

Leon will be remembered as a committed husband, father, grandfather and friend who lived with integrity and commitment to his creator. His children greatly admired his ability to cultivate and maintain close and loving relationships with friends that he acquired in every phase of his life including high school, Air Force, IBM, UT Athletics and retirement. Leon was a man of excellence who had very high expectations for himself and his family. You trained us well Dad!

Leon was preceded in death by his faithful wife, Judy and his sister Marilynn Parr, whom he loved deeply. He leaves behind a loving family which includes his three children, Debbie and husband, Mike Clem, Dawnette and husband, John Lantz and son, Monty Magner. He is also survived by his eight loving grand-children: Andy and wife, Beth Clem; Corey Jayne and husband, John Robnett; Tracey, Austin, and Mark Clem; Carter, Tyler, and Shelby Lantz. Adding to his joy were three beautiful, entertaining great-grandchildren Jude, Lane and Sage Clem.

Services to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 6, 2015 at Pflugerville Community Church, 1214 Pfennig Lane in Pflugerville, Texas. Committal services will follow with a presentation by the US Air Force Honor Guard at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery.

Please visit Leon’s memorial webpage at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for more information and to share memories with his family.