Melvin Leon Ward

Leon was born on October 27, 1928 in Krum, Texas to Samuel and Beulah Ward. He was raised by his maternal grandparents near Gainesville, Texas and became a Christian as a young boy. As a young man, Leon served in the Occupation Army in Germany. After the war he went to work for Houston Lighting & Power as a lineman and then for the City of Houston as an electrician for the Traffic Signal Division where he worked until he retired. Leon loved horses and during this time he was a member of the Pasadena Mounted Posse. In 1971, he married Doris Williams and they had many adventures together. For a time, they lived in LaPorte, Texas and served at the Boys Harbor facility for abused, abandoned and neglected children. In retirement, Leon was a member of Volunteer Christian Builders and helped to build churches all over the United States (including Alaska) and Canada. In 1992, Leon and Doris went to the Holy Land. In 1996, he and Doris worked at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Leon was a Gideon and past president of the Gideon’s Cleveland Camp, spreading the gospel through the Gideon organization. In his later years, he served on the Splendora City Council. Leon had a lifelong love of music. He loved singing in the church choir and playing the banjo. He was also an avid gardener. He loved working in the garden. But most of all, Leon loved the Lord. He loved Him and served Him faithfully. His home church for many years and until he died was the First Baptist Church in Splendora, where he was a trustee.

Leon is preceded in death by his mother and father, Samuel and Beulah Ward, his brothers, Clyde Ward and S.E. “Bud” Ward, and his sisters, Ethel Schoenenberger and Edith Donaho.

Leon is survived by his wife, Doris Ward, his son Mel Ward and wife, Linda, and stepchildren Al Williams and wife, Jody, Jack Williams and wife, Karen, and LaWanda Badger and husband, Mike. Surviving grandchildren are Amanda Ward, Harrison Ward, Dori Franco and husband, Nathan, and Dani Brandimarte and husband, Phil. There are three surviving great grandchildren, Christopher Franco, Samantha Franco, and Jude Brandimarte. Surviving nieces and nephews are Sherry Eska, Susie Arechiga, Carol Dobson, Boyd Copeland and Rick Ward and their spouses, as well as numerous great nieces and nephews and other relatives.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at the Kingwood Funeral Home in Kingwood. The service honoring Leon’s life will be held at the Kingwood Funeral Home as well on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 11:00 am. Internment will be on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 11:00 am at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster with military honors.

Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to:

The Gideons International

The Cleveland Camp

P.O. Box 2066

New Caney, TX 77357