Leonard Ballard Ivanhoe

Leonard was born in Lockhart, Texas on July 24, 1926 to Orville A. Ivanhoe and Nettie Mae (Hook) Ivanhoe. On May 5, 1952 he married his sweetheart, Dorothy Lee Sralla, in Pleasanton, Texas. This year marked their 66th year wedding anniversary.

Leonard served as a proud Marine as WWII was coming to a close. He served from June 1944 to December 1946 at Iwo Jima, Guam and Guadalcanal. He achieved the rank of Corporal. Leonard loved to fly his American flag every day. He was proud and respectful of our country and all the veterans who have served to keep us free.

In 1950, Leonard began his career with Exxon Corp (Humble Oil). His career spanned almost 32 years reaching the level of Senior Drilling Superintendent of the Midcontinent Division. He retired from Exxon in 1981.

Leonard had many hobbies including restoring old cars, hunting, fishing and woodworking. He loved to travel to the deer lease with his sons. As a master craftsman of metal and wood, he built gun cabinets, desks, clocks, jewelry boxes, hand mirrors and rocking horses. He restored several Model “A” Ford cars and enjoyed gifting his woodworking projects to his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Leonard’s greatest passion was the Church. He loved the Church that Christ established and always mentioned his love for the Church in his public prayers. He was committed to maintaining her purity as he served the Lord as Elder and Deacon through the years. Over his Christian life, he also served as Song leader and Teacher in a number of congregations. Most recently, Leonard and Dorothy were faithful members of Fairmont Park Church of Christ in Midland, Texas. The family is comforted to know that Leonard was faithful to the Lord’s work and now has a Crown of Life in eternity with our Heavenly Father.

As a husband, he loved spending time with his wife, Dorothy. Very seldom did he leave her side. If he did, he would ask his family to be attentive to her care. To the family, their union was a perfect example of a biblically portrayed Christian marriage.

Leonard was very proud of his three sons and considered them his greatest achievement. He was respected and loved by his sons. They will cherish their memories with their dad. They considered him to be a great father and Christian man and will never, ever forget him.

Leonard’s eight grandchildren will remember their “Papa” as a strong, yet loving and compassionate man. He took pride in all of their accomplishments. He always made each one feel special and adored. They loved their time with him on the back porch swing listening to his words of wisdom, stories of the military and his oil field experiences in West Texas. His legacy of faithfulness and love will live on in each one of their hearts and future generations of the Ivanhoe family.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather John P. Hook, grandmother Bertie Hook, mother, father, and two sisters Dorothy Stephens and Frances Hansen.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy; sons and their spouses: Lee and Amy Ivanhoe, David and Susan Ivanhoe, and Karl and Cheri Ivanhoe, all of Midland; eight grandchildren, Liz Plaisted, Katie McPherren, Tracy Neely, Kolby Ivanhoe, Jared Ivanhoe, Hillary Ivanhoe, Troy Ivanhoe and Caleigh Ivanhoe and eleven great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Kolby Ivanhoe, Jared Ivanhoe, Troy Ivanhoe, Miles McPherren, Kevin Plaisted and John Neely.

There will be services held at Fairmont ParkChurch of Christ on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may made to Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas Ave, Midland, Texas, 79701 (432-682-2855).

The family would like to thank our Church family in Midland. You have provided so much support to Leonard and Dorothy over the years. Leonard loved all of you.

Also, the family will be forever grateful for the care that Leonard received from the nurses at Midland Memorial and Hospice of Midland.