Leon, born on December 20, 1921 in De Leon, Texas, was the only child of Lottie Lorraine Wenzel. He was the eldest of two sons born to Rene Arthur Raines.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Dues Raines, his mother, Lottie Lorraine Wenzel, his step-dad, Charles Stephen Wenzel, and his father, Rene Arthur Raines.
He was tenderly raised by Lottie and Charles, learning life lessons from them, which included the value of hard work. With the exception of brief periods during the depression and in service of our country during World War II, he spent most of his life in Houston, Texas. Leon attended Hohl Elementary and Marrs High School in Aldine ISD from which he graduated in 1939.
His career in construction began as a young adult, working beside his step-dad. Together, they built Leon and Rosemary's first home where the couple started their family. Leon joined Tobin and Rooney Construction Company where he was a hardworking, faithful employee, quickly rising through the company's ranks. While there, he supervised teams of workers on metal lathing projects for 46 years. He helped construct many prominent buildings across the state of Texas including Houston's St. Luke's Hospital. He retired in 1984 and was a life member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 213/551. He was recently honored for his more than 70 years of membership in the United Brotherhood by being specifically recognized for his lengthy and faithful dedication to that organization.
Leon proudly served his country during World War II, as a member of the Army Air Force at both Ellington Air Base and in Kwajalein in the South Pacific Campaign. When asked, he was eager to retell stories of his World War II experiences.
He was a self-educated, well-read man with a lively interest in history, nature, music and movies. He enjoyed his work as well as many and varied hobbies. Those hobbies included fast cars, trucks and motorcycles, boating, hunting, fishing and playing dominos, particularly the game of 42. He especially loved deer hunting which he actively continued until his 80th birthday when his physical infirmities caused him to lay that passion aside.
The love of his life and his most precious companion was his lifelong partner and wife, Rosemary. He met his beautiful bride while serving as best man at a friend's wedding where Rosemary was the maid of honor. They spent the next 67 years raising a family in Houston and enjoying their children and grandchildren.
Leon is survived by his daughters, Janice Swonke and husband Jerry, Judith Raines and husband Dave Kem, Joan Raines Cockrell, and son Jeffrey Alvin Raines. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Adam Swonke and wife Jacquelyn, Eric Swonke, Marc Swonke and wife Kiley, Brooke Raines Mulkey and husband Jake, Madeline Cockrell, Nate Cockrell, and great grandsons Colin Scott Mulkey and Joel Raines Swonke.
A visitation will be held on Friday, July 20th at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral mass at 2:00 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, Houston 77018. Immediately following the mass, interment will take place at Glenwood Cemetery, Houston, Texas.
Honored to serves as pallbearers are Adam Swonke, Marc Swonke, Eric Swonke, Nate Cockrell, Jake Mulkey, Patrick Trojanowsky and David Trojanowsky.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Garden Terrace of Houston as well as Vantage Hospice for their attentive and loving care of Leon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Leon’s name to the St. Rose of Lima Legacy of Faith, 3600 Brinkman, Houston 77018 or the St. Dominic Village Endowment Fund at 2401 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston 77021.
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