Leland Benjamin Boatwright Jr.

Skip was the best Christmas present his parents Georgia and Leland Boatwright (both deceased) could ask for in 1941. He was their first child and you know the first is always the most spoiled. Despite a learning disability Skip made it through the eight grade, later graduated from cosmetology school, worked as a zookeeper and a security guard with the Houston Zoo and worked as a City of Houston Municipal Court clerk until he retired 10 years ago.

Skip got his sense of style and confidence from both of his parents. The outfits and costumes were plentiful during his youth- a precursor to dance school and the many women who became his dance partners.

Skip was six before he became a big brother. He was so excited to welcome his little sister Rebecca. And equally as excited when his brother Glen was born.

In 1965, while volunteering for a political election, he met and then married Laura Ann Buffington. They had three children Cassi, Jason and Carrie.

For his entire life his dance card was full and the last dance partner of his life was his loving companion, Heidi (a dappled dachshund).

Skip was not a politician, a scholar or a sportsman, he was a simple man with simple pleasures and lived a simple life. He didn’t allow worry to enter his thoughts, his attitude was, “it is what it is, ain’t nothin’ you can do about it”.

He loved little league baseball, peanuts in a coke bottle, graham crackers in milk, animals around the house and he cracked jokes that sometimes only he laughed at. Isn’t that right, little Injun?

He was an ELK, a volunteer fireman, and a little league umpire. He was patriotic, proud to be an American and often thought he looked a little like Elvis (his favorite singer).

He was not a cook, a handyman nor did he have a green thumb but he did know how to throw a baseball to his children, taught them the proper way to jump a fence (for when he threw the ball too far) and didn’t mind when they turned his garden shed into the neighborhood bicycle repair shop.

Skip was not wealthy and tried hard to live within his means. He always managed to find the best place to live for the best price and how to get the things he needed with little assistance. He was not a patient man but he certainly was a tolerant man with memory as sharp as a tack. Skip was hard-headed and his beliefs were truly his own and he lived life as he saw fit.

While Skip loved to wear his sports jacket and tie, his favorite fashion of late was a pair of holey jeans, a white cotton v-neck t-shirt, sporting a pair of suspenders and one of his patriotic baseball caps while constantly checking the weather on his cell phone and counting the hours until his next pain pill.

Skip loved to be social and hated when his illness and pain kept him still. From dancing on stage to the many ballrooms that followed, he’s dancing now in the arms of his mother

Skip was proceeded in death by father, Leland “Lee” Boatwright, Sr, and mother, Georgia June Witherspoon Boatwright. Skip is survived by daughter and daughter-in-law, Cassi Boatwright and Diane Glowacki of Galveston; son and daughter-in-law (ex), Jason and Jennifer Boatwright of Spring; daughter Carrie Boatwright of Houston; and grandson, Jason “JJ” Boatwright, Jr – of Spring; sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Tom Bousquet of Friendswood and brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Lynn Boatwright of Friendswood and numerous nieces and nephews

The family would like to thank all of the physicians and healthcare providers who gave Leland excellent care both in Houston and in Galveston. They would also like to thank Carol Caleffe, Skip’s dear friend and companion at Mansions Senior Living in Houston.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in his name to your local animal shelter.