1922
John
2011
John T. Leimon
June 24, 1922 — March 29, 2011
Harlingen, Texas:
John T. Leimon, 88, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at his residence.
John Thomas Leimonas was born on June 24, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio to Margaret and Charles Leimonas. His early years in Cleveland, living just minutes away from League Park (Cleveland Indian’s home field), was devoted to his favorite pastime, baseball. While memories abound about fielding balls for the pro’s and keeping the scoreboard his fondest being meeting his future wife Beverly Gage at the age of 13. They were married April 26, 1945 shortly after his return from the Pacific where John served his country as a Marine supporting fighter pilot squadrons on the Marshall Islands during WWII. In 1950 John changed his name to Leimon and moved his family to the Rio Grand Valley. John worked for Hygeia Dairy for 30 years and 11 years as a school bus driver for Harlingen School District.
Our dad was the ultimate “family man”. Nothing could be more important to him. He taught his eldest that just because you were right handed didn’t mean you couldn’t pitch left-handed. (My dad was a lefty and taught him to throw that way!) So, to this day, Danny is a left handed thrower and stands on the wrong side of the golf ball! Then came Tommy, who had no interest in sports. Poor dad, he worked Tommy over just learning the multiplication tables. Tommy still has dreams of 7X8, however; he can take a car apart and put it back together, just don’t have him multiply anything! Ten years later came daddy’s little girl. The “Sarge” as she is affectionately known by her brothers… what do you expect. She became surrounded by boys, she had to defend herself! Finally, two years later, by accident, came our baby brother, Pat. He was a true blessing. Dad started working with Pat some six years ago, teaching him how to balance that checkbook. Dad was his “accountant” until the end. Dad played a big part in shaping who we all became in so many ways. He set a high bar for us to follow in our lives ahead. He never had an unkind thing to say about anyone, that is probably why we all have more personality traits from our mother! So be it, Dad….
In the last two years, we were able to take a last trip back to his beloved Cleveland. On this particular trip he was recognized by the Cleveland Indians for love of the game and his early years with the ball club as a ball boy. This meant so much to him. It was good that we were there to see this “tribal welcome”. We also got to travel back in time with him to explore his boyhood neighborhood and to see League Park that he frequently talked about and to hear again how he saw Baby Ruth hit a home run. That same year, a trip was planned to see the New York Yankees play in their new stadium. What a grand trip that was to see dad in the “Big City” with those yellow cabs. The final park dad always wanted to see was Fenway Park in Boston. We walked all 1000 steps of that green monster on a tour of that grand stadium and saw them play the Texas Rangers in their winning season of 2010. Texas beat Boston that night so we did not make the fans around us to happy. We all wore our Texas shirts to the ballpark.
John was an active member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church and Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church serving as a Eucharistic minister for ten years. John was also a long time member of the Kiwanis and Elks clubs. He also served as Sheriff for the Harlingen Six Shooters Welcoming Committee for new businesses in the city.
John is survived by his four loving children, Daniel (Rebecca), Thomas (Carol), Patrick and Gucci all from Harlingen and Kelly (Paul) Coffey from Austin; five grandchildren, John R. Leimon, Michael L. Leimon (Sara), Bryan Enloe, Amanda Hill and Amber Spain as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends he has yet to meet.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Beverly, who is waiting for his arrival after being apart for two years, his parents Charles and Margaret Jones, step-father Howard Jones and brother, Andy. All players are accounted for now, so let the card game in heaven begin! Bet those “A’s” Dad!
P.S. Give ma a kiss for us.
Graveside services only will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011, 10 a.m., at Mont Meta Mausoleum in San Benito with Father Lawrence Klein as celebrant.
Special thanks to Vanessa with Odyssey Hospice, the assistance from Minnie Duarte from On Time Care Givers, Dr. Castillo from Valley Baptist Hospital for the time he took to help us through this process. Dr Crouse who did a fabulous job setting dads leg and to Dr. Aldon Williams who was “on call” to help with pain management.
You are invited to leave a memory or condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
John T. Leimon, 88, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at his residence.
John Thomas Leimonas was born on June 24, 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio to Margaret and Charles Leimonas. His early years in Cleveland, living just minutes away from League Park (Cleveland Indian’s home field), was devoted to his favorite pastime, baseball. While memories abound about fielding balls for the pro’s and keeping the scoreboard his fondest being meeting his future wife Beverly Gage at the age of 13. They were married April 26, 1945 shortly after his return from the Pacific where John served his country as a Marine supporting fighter pilot squadrons on the Marshall Islands during WWII. In 1950 John changed his name to Leimon and moved his family to the Rio Grand Valley. John worked for Hygeia Dairy for 30 years and 11 years as a school bus driver for Harlingen School District.
Our dad was the ultimate “family man”. Nothing could be more important to him. He taught his eldest that just because you were right handed didn’t mean you couldn’t pitch left-handed. (My dad was a lefty and taught him to throw that way!) So, to this day, Danny is a left handed thrower and stands on the wrong side of the golf ball! Then came Tommy, who had no interest in sports. Poor dad, he worked Tommy over just learning the multiplication tables. Tommy still has dreams of 7X8, however; he can take a car apart and put it back together, just don’t have him multiply anything! Ten years later came daddy’s little girl. The “Sarge” as she is affectionately known by her brothers… what do you expect. She became surrounded by boys, she had to defend herself! Finally, two years later, by accident, came our baby brother, Pat. He was a true blessing. Dad started working with Pat some six years ago, teaching him how to balance that checkbook. Dad was his “accountant” until the end. Dad played a big part in shaping who we all became in so many ways. He set a high bar for us to follow in our lives ahead. He never had an unkind thing to say about anyone, that is probably why we all have more personality traits from our mother! So be it, Dad….
In the last two years, we were able to take a last trip back to his beloved Cleveland. On this particular trip he was recognized by the Cleveland Indians for love of the game and his early years with the ball club as a ball boy. This meant so much to him. It was good that we were there to see this “tribal welcome”. We also got to travel back in time with him to explore his boyhood neighborhood and to see League Park that he frequently talked about and to hear again how he saw Baby Ruth hit a home run. That same year, a trip was planned to see the New York Yankees play in their new stadium. What a grand trip that was to see dad in the “Big City” with those yellow cabs. The final park dad always wanted to see was Fenway Park in Boston. We walked all 1000 steps of that green monster on a tour of that grand stadium and saw them play the Texas Rangers in their winning season of 2010. Texas beat Boston that night so we did not make the fans around us to happy. We all wore our Texas shirts to the ballpark.
John was an active member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church and Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church serving as a Eucharistic minister for ten years. John was also a long time member of the Kiwanis and Elks clubs. He also served as Sheriff for the Harlingen Six Shooters Welcoming Committee for new businesses in the city.
John is survived by his four loving children, Daniel (Rebecca), Thomas (Carol), Patrick and Gucci all from Harlingen and Kelly (Paul) Coffey from Austin; five grandchildren, John R. Leimon, Michael L. Leimon (Sara), Bryan Enloe, Amanda Hill and Amber Spain as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends he has yet to meet.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Beverly, who is waiting for his arrival after being apart for two years, his parents Charles and Margaret Jones, step-father Howard Jones and brother, Andy. All players are accounted for now, so let the card game in heaven begin! Bet those “A’s” Dad!
P.S. Give ma a kiss for us.
Graveside services only will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2011, 10 a.m., at Mont Meta Mausoleum in San Benito with Father Lawrence Klein as celebrant.
Special thanks to Vanessa with Odyssey Hospice, the assistance from Minnie Duarte from On Time Care Givers, Dr. Castillo from Valley Baptist Hospital for the time he took to help us through this process. Dr Crouse who did a fabulous job setting dads leg and to Dr. Aldon Williams who was “on call” to help with pain management.
You are invited to leave a memory or condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John T. Leimon, please visit our flower store.