GENE HAYWARD LEATHERWOOD JR

Gene ‘JR’ Hayward Leatherwood, JR was born on January 4th, 1973 to Barbara Evelyn Garsee nee’ Leatherwood and Gene Hayward Leatherwood, SR in Galveston, Texas. He passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, March 10th from 12:00-2pm at Blackwell and Vasquez Funeral Home at 750 Uvalde Road in Houston.  His funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 11th at Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in the chapel at 1:30.

JR was raised in Louisiana and Texas, loving the outdoors, and especially enjoying camping with his kids in East Texas. He was a 1991 graduate of Pearland High School where he played football.  Following high school he served in the United States Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and was a proud paratrooper. After leaving the military due to medical complications, he went on to become an aircraft mechanic and worked in that field for over 20 years. JR was an avid Harley-Davidson rider and always looked forward to meeting up with friends to hit the road whether it was just to get away or a ride for charity. He was a baptized Christian, but by no means a Bible thumper. He was private about his relationship with God, but prayerful nonetheless. He was Momma’s boy. He was our little brother. He was Daddy to four. He was a fun & informative uncle. He was a lifelong friend who never met a stranger. He was a soldier. We will miss the special place he filled in our lives but forever keep him in our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Barbara & Gene Leatherwood.  His sister, Kassie Leatherwood. His grandparents Elodie & Autry Leatherwood, Evelyn Vestal Mitchell & Clarence ‘Winker’ Garsee.

He is survived by: 

His children, PFC Mason Hunter Leatherwood of Fort Wainwright, Alaska.  

Lilly Evelyn, Josie Reign, & Jakob Rylee Gene Leatherwood of Crosby, Texas. 

His sisters, Kim DeLaGarza, Karat Gwinn & husband, Damon of Crosby. Annie Adams & husband, Dwayne of Highlands.

His nieces & nephews, Samantha Gwinn of Houston. Kristina Leatherwood & Kaitlynn DeLaGarza of Crosby. Cody McClain of Conroe. Alexia Gwinn of Crosby. Talton Adams of Highlands. SGT Sebastian Gwinn of Fort Hood, Texas. Khloeigh & CJ Adams of Highlands.

His grandniece, Alijah Dickerson of Crosby.

His brother from another mother, Casey Williams of Athens, Texas.

His extended family including the Leatherwoods, Vestals, & Garsees.

His countless friends, especially Miss Judy, Jennifer, Andrea, Angie, Dan, David, Shannon, & Steve.

His faithful Rottweiler, Coach

Visitation will begin from 12pm-2pm at Blackwell & Vazquez Woodforest Funeral Home 750 Uvalde Rd. Houston, Texas 77015 (713) 453-1900 on Tuesday March 10, 2020. Interment will take place at 1:30pm on Wednesday March 11, 2020 in the Houston National Cemetery with military honors. 

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