Leland Wayne DuBose

Leland’s zest for life lives on through those who loved him most: his devoted wife of 49 years, Loree Watson DuBose; his son, Parish Boone DuBose and wife Lauren Giles, along with their children—Jackson, Hudson, and Evelyn; his daughter, Candice Michelle Williams and husband Joel Michael, and their children—Audree and Emilee; and his daughter, Lacee Millicent Neidigh and husband Shaun Patrick, with their children—Wimberlee, Beckett, Bo Leland, Woodson, and their fifth child on the way, Lillee Faith, due in April 2026. Of all his accomplishments, his greatest joy and proudest legacy were his ten grandchildren, who will carry forward his spirit of adventure, generosity, and love.

He is also survived by his sisters, Karen DuBose and Elaine DuBose and her husband, Frank Harris as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members with whom he remained closely connected throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Leland DuBose and Jessie Mae.

Leland was born on December 4, 1951, at Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. He spent his early childhood there before moving at age eight to Portland, Texas, where his father began building homes in a new subdivision. From an early age, it was clear that Leland’s love for the outdoors and adventure could not be contained within a classroom. Living just blocks from Nueces Bay, he could often be found exploring by foot or bicycle from sunrise to sunset—returning home only when called for dinner.

To channel his boundless energy, his father began coaching Little League alongside John Rackley, father of Leland’s lifelong friend, Ray—a friendship that would endure for decades.

The DuBose family farm in Pawnee, Texas, established in the 1940s, became a cherished second home where countless weekends, holidays, and summers were spent. It was there that Leland’s passion for hunting began. After receiving his first BB gun, anything that moved quickly became fair game. He developed a particular love for dove and quail hunting and even set a lifelong goal of matching his Uncle Wayne’s legendary feat—bringing down two birds with a single shotgun shell. With an intuitive grasp of geometry and physics, Leland became an exceptional marksman, carefully calculating wind, distance, and movement with precision. While waking him for school could be a challenge, he never missed a pre-dawn hunt. His adventurous spirit often led to close calls, but he always returned home safe—with a story worth telling.

Leland graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 1970, where he excelled in athletics and earned the admiration of both coaches and teachers. He was a captain of the Football and Basketball teams, and was voted “Best All-Around” and “Class Favorite” by his senior class—an honor made even more meaningful as his father had received the same distinction in 1940. By then, Leland was already becoming known as “The Legend,” a title that would follow him throughout his life.

In 1973, Leland began dating Loree, the love of his life. After his graduation from Southwest Texas State University, he and Loree married in 1976. Leland supported her dream to become a RN and she went on to earn her BSN and MSN. Together, they built a life rooted in love, raising their three children first in Portland and later in The Woodlands, where they remained through their children’s high school years.

Leland dedicated his entire professional career to the oil and gas industry, serving as an accountant and ultimately retiring as a Controller. He worked with several respected companies, including Mobil Oil, Fina Oil & Gas, Amerada Hess, and Sulphur River Exploration. Known for his loyalty, integrity, and strong work ethic, Leland earned the respect and admiration of colleagues throughout his career. In 1987, following Fina’s acquisition of Tenneco Oil, he made the significant decision to relocate his family from Portland to Houston—a reflection of both his professional commitment and his dedication to providing for his family. He often spoke of the lifelong relationships he formed during his time at Fina, which remained especially meaningful to him. He concluded his career with Sulphur River Exploration where he retired from in 2016.

Leland had a gift for bringing people together and listening. He loved helping others, tackling projects, and had a remarkable ability to fix just about anything. One of his proudest accomplishments was restoring his grandfather’s 1958 Farmall tractor—taking it apart piece by piece, reassembling it, and bringing it back to life.

To those who knew him, he will always be remembered as Leland “The Legend.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "The Leland Wayne Memorial Scholarship Fund" c/o Helping Hands Pediatric Therapy 1061 N Coleman Ste. 80 Prosper, Texas 75078, a newly established charitable organization created in his honor to benefit children with cerebral palsy and other pediatric disabilities, furthering his mission alongside Helping Hands Pediatric Therapy. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out at [email protected]

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 1305 Wildcat Drive, Portland, Texas.