Knowles "Bubba" Leonard

Knowles "Bubba" Earl Leonard, III, of Conroe, Texas, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on July 8, 2018, after a brief, but valiant battle with cancer.

Bubba was the oldest son of Knowles Earl Leonard, Jr. and Jennie "Loraine" Bargaineer Hutchins, born on February 8, 1949 in Baytown, Texas. He was raised mostly in Lake Jackson but spent a short time in Lufkin during his childhood. He graduated in 1968 from Brazosport High School.

From 1969 to 1975, Bubba served as a Sergeant E-5 in the Light Weapons Infantry. He was certain that his time in the military helped make him into a man with integrity and confidence. He was awarded several medals for sharp shooting, the National Defense Service medal, and even qualified for West Point.

Bubba met the love of his life, Carla White, in the Jones Creek grocery store in 1971 and married her on November 4, 1972. Together they built a strong marriage rooted in a deep respect for one another, a fierce loyalty to their family, and a love for Jesus Christ. They raised their children in the Brazoria County area where Bubba was very active in the lives of his children and church. He was an ordained deacon of Jones Creek Baptist Church often teaching Sunday School, leading the youth, and working on the church property.

Although Bubba didn't brag about it, his family and others who knew him say he was the epitome of a handyman and a jack-of-all-trades. After he retired as an Instrument Technician from Dow Chemical in 2005, Bubba only increased his activities as he lived to be in the service of others. He was a perfectionist and never stopped improving upon his "tinkering" skills including plumbing, electrical, roofing, home foundation work, home building, auto maintenance, lawn care, home inspections, and more. It has been said that Bubba was most skilled at eating chocolate, listening to 60's music, watching science fiction movies, reading, and cheering on his grandchildren. Additionally, he passed on his hard work ethic and keen sense of humor to his only son. Bubba, a rare "man's man," determined to love, care for, and serve the many women in his life including his mother, five sisters, wife, mother-in-law, and daughter. Though Bubba was a man of few words, he remained very affectionate and purposefully made sure his family knew of his deep love for them all.

Bubba Leonard will be sadly missed and forever remembered by his best friend and wife of 46 years, Carla White Leonard; beloved son, Tyson Leonard and his wife, Michaella; grandson, Reece Leonard and granddaughter, Victoria Leonard; cherished daughter, Tiana Fletes and her husband, Jeffrey; grandsons, Nicholas Siler and James Fletes and granddaughter, Tasha Gregg; sister, Pat Grimes and husband Robert Sr.; sister, Wanda Jones; brother, Jerry Leonard; sister, Jean Norman and husband Mike; sister, Cindy Nicolas and husband Rick; brother, David Hutchins; mother-in-law, Elizabeth "Wynell" Johnson White; sister-in-law, Deana Gray and husband Tom; sister-in-law, Linda Singleton and husband Richard; and many loved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Carrol Dean White; sister, Joyce Adkins and husband Jim; brother, Richard Leonard; nephew, Robert Grimes, Jr; and nephew, Justin Nicolas.

Bubba had a favorite verse, Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Bubba's family is forever grateful for the gift and promise of Heaven to all those who call Jesus their savior.

Heaven has nothing to 'fix,' sweet Bubs. Rest easy, and we'll one day join you there.

A Celebration of Bubba's Life will be held at Jones Creek Baptist Church Gymnasium on Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 2:00-4:00pm; concluding with a Military Honors Presentation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in honor of Bubba Leonard to:

MD Anderson Cancer Center

P.O. Box 4486

Houston, TX 77210-4486

www.mdanderson.org/gifts