Leeland K. Leu

He was born in Toisan, Guangdong, China on April 2, 1949, to Gene Schick Leu and Sun Oy Lam. He and his mother traveled to the United States in December 1958 to be reunited with his father who had been working in the United States to send money back to the family. With his limited English, he was placed in a lower grade but over a couple of years, he advanced two grades a year once his English got better. After graduating from Jefferson Davis High School, he attended South Texas Junior College and then the University of Houston. He started working at the Texas Highway Department with his civil engineering skills and at various companies including Bechtel Engineering, KBR, and CB&I.

While attending the University of Houston, he met Katherine Wong, dated a few years, and they got married on November 7, 1976. God blessed them with three sons Gifford, Nathan, and Theodore. With their three sons, Leeland and Katherine were busy with church, little league, soccer, school activities, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. As an active Scouter for 30 plus years, Leeland went on the high adventure Philmont backpacking trek in New Mexico with Gifford and later with Nathan. Leeland also got to sail in the Florida Keys, another Scout high adventure trip, with Nathan and Theodore. Leeland was proud of his three sons – all Eagle Scouts! After the boys became adults, they asked Leeland why he was still a Scouter and he told them it was because of the great friendships developed over the years with good people.

In addition to Scouting, Leeland was a band booster and helped the marching band at games plus UIL competitions when Nathan and Theodore were in band at Hastings High School. Leeland also enjoyed bowling, softball, hunting, watching sports, working at Constellation field during his retirement, and traveling a lot. Recently, he’s been manning a duong (粽) co-op wearing his signature red cap. He really enjoyed the trips to Chicago to visit his sister Su Ping Liu over the years reminiscing about the days back in China and how they came to America. After Su Ping passed away in 2013, trips to Chicago became more of attending weddings, trying out new restaurants, and watching a new generation grow up.

Leeland had been in pretty good health all his life but in November 2023, he felt very tired. His doctor monitored him for a month and thinking Leeland might be anemic, a colonoscopy was scheduled. When that did not give a reason for the loss of blood, the next step was to see a hematologist. On January 19, 2024, before he could make that appointment, swelling in his lower limbs put him in the hospital to drain the 20 pounds of fluid he had retained over three days. A chest X-ray showed more fluids around his right lung which was extracted. After the fluid was extracted from his right lung, a CT scan revealed a mass and a biopsy was done. On January 29, 2024, Leeland was diagnosed with stage IV adrenal gland cancer that was inoperable and incurable. Leeland’s reaction to the diagnosis was first disbelief but then calmly, he said “I’m at peace with that because I know God and He has His reasons.”

He is preceded in death by grandfather Leu King Hang, parents Gene Schick and Sun Oy Leu, and sister Su Ping Liu.

He is survived by loving wife Katherine; sons Gifford (Andrea), Nathan, Theodore; grandchildren Christian, Alexis, Megan, Jordan.

The family will be receiving friends at a visitation for Leeland to be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home,12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.

A memorial service for Leeland will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Chinese Baptist Church, 900 Brogden Rd, Houston, TX 77024. Those that are unable to attend in person may view the memorial service through this link: https://youtube.com/live/jUUve73FobU?feature=share

The family will gather for a private interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made/sent to: Grace Chapel, 1055 Bingle Rd, Houston, TX 77055. Grace Chapel donation envelopes will be available at the visitation and the memorial service.