Leon A. WOODS Jr.

WOODS, Jr., Leon A.
Born in San Antonio, Texas on May 14, 1925 and transitioned on April 10, 2012. His parents were Leon A. Woods, Sr. and Elizabeth Ann Woods. In 1941 Leon graduated from Phyllis Wheatley HS in San Antonio and attended Prairie View A&M College on a Tennis scholarship. While at Prairie View A&M, he won the South-Western Athletic Conference (SWAC) Singles Tennis titles in 1942 and 1943. During World War II Leon was drafted into the US Army Air Corps and served in the Pacific Theater, earning a Bronze Star. After an honorable discharge from the military in 1946, he returned to Prairie View A&M and won the 1947 SWAC Singles and Doubles Tennis championships. Consequently, he became the first African American to play in the NCAA National Tennis Championships. He graduated from Prairie View in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and then earned a Masters degree in Chemistry in 1949. He met his future bride, Doris A. Jackson, in 1947 while in college. They married in Sacramento, California in 1951. From this union there were two sons, Leon III and Gary. Mr. Woods was a trailblazer in his profession. He was the first African-American chemist hired by the California Dept. of Fish and Game. He mentored numerous other young chemists during his tenure. He served California for 27 years and retired from the Dept. of Toxic Substances Control as a Sr. Industrial Hygienist in 1987. As an active member in the Episcopal Church, Leon was part of the team that established the Our Merciful Savior Episcopal Church Mission. Once it dissolved, he became a faithful member of All Saints Episcopal Church. Leon was member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for 65 years and served as local Chapter President for a term. He also tutored youth in the Alpha Academy. He was an activist in the community and was on numerous boards and commissions. He successfully integrated a number of tennis clubs in the Sacramento community. Leon's parents and only sibling, Elizabeth Ann Derborne, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Doris A Woods; sons, Leon III and Gary; granddaughter, Lisa Ann Burkut (Constantine); sister-in-law, LaVerne W. Jackson; nieces, Betty Jackson Hill, Brenda Gipson (Michael), Barbara Jackson; nephews, Dr. James W. Reede, Jr. (Cheryl), John M. Jackson, Jr.; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. This trailblazer left a legacy for those in his family and community to emulate, cherish, and follow. Viewing will be at Morgan Jones Funeral Home on Monday, April 16th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Services will be at All Saints Episcopal Church on Tuesday, April 17th at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Sacramento County Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leon's memory to ZBL Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 22261, Sacramento, CA 95822.