Leon Christopher

Leon Christopher, 98, departed this life on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Leon was born to William and Ora Christopher (Hancock) in Jacksonville, Texas. He was the fourth of six children born to the union of William and Ora.

His formal education was at Fred Douglass High School in Jacksonville, Tx. Leon left school after the 11th grade to work on the family farm.

Leon was a devoted husband to his wife Lillie Christopher (Brooks) for 65 years until her passing in 2012. Soon after Leon and Lillie married in October 1947, they moved to Chicago, Illinois to follow his older siblings and seek work opportunities during the Great Migration to the North. He served his country as a member of the 1698th Engineer Combat Company of the 178th Infantry Regiment for the Illinois National Guard alongside his best friend Robert Collins for nine years. Leon was honorably discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Leon ultimately learned the trade of a Manufacturing Machinist, becoming a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Union. He would work as a machinist for more than 30 years. Working for International Harvesters and Pettibone Mulliken, both located in Chicago.

Leon was self-taught in many skills. He learned skills through educating himself by reading (no internet or YouTube videos). He became well trained in multiple vocational trades, most notably as an auto mechanic and carpenter. He always drove a well-tuned “clean” car. Leon built many structures around his home from the ground up, garages, room additions, etc. As a devoted member to St. Matthew Gordon AME Zion Church, you could see evidence of carpentry work.

During their 35+ years in Chicago, Leon and Lillie raised their 3 sons, Larry, Kevin and Ray. He raised his sons by setting an example as a man of faith and being true to his home. He was instrumental in the education and skills his sons would use to raise and support their families. The love and devotion he showed his immediate family extended to others. He enjoyed every holiday where his siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins would gather to celebrate. He would smoke ribs and other meats on his grill, which he made from a 55-gallon drum.

Upon retirement, he and his wife returned to their roots, Jacksonville. The largest motivating factor for their move was to help care for his aging mother. As a returning resident of Jacksonville, Leon became a faithful member of Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church (Ora’s church) and an ad hoc member of Benson Memorial CME Church (Lillie’s church). Just as in Chicago, he would support his and his wife’s church financially and as a handy man making repairs as needed.

Leon always looked forward to the annual Hancock family reunion held in Jacksonville. It provided him the opportunity to worship, break bread and celebrate with his extended family. You could see the joy on his face as he walked through the church and facility where dinner was served.

Preceding him in death was his father William Christopher, his mother Ora Christopher, wife Lillie Christopher; brothers Sam Christopher, Robert Christopher, Claude Christopher and Clyde Christopher; son Kevin Christopher and daughter-in-law Lois Christopher.

Leon is survived by his 100 year old sister Elizabeth Fields (Kansas City, MO); sons Danny Montgomery (Linda) (Galveston, TX), Larry Christopher (Houston, TX), Ray Christopher (Diane) (Overland Park, KS), daughter-in-law Connie Christopher (Beaumont, TX); Sister-in-laws Sonya (Jackson, MS) and Evelyn Barrett (Los Angeles, CA); twelve grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren. Along with a host of beloved and cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation in Kansas City will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131, on March 7, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by the Homegoing Celebration in Kansas City at the same location on March 7, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Visitation in Texas will be held at Benson Memorial CME Church, 902 Ellis Street, Jacksonville, Texas 75766, on March 14, 2026, at 10:00 am, followed by the Homegoing Celebration in Texas at the same location on March 14, 2026, at 11:00 am.