Leon Lovett

Chester Leon Lovett, 87, of Longview, passed away peacefully in his home March 1, 2026. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on October 7, 1938, Leon attended North Caddo High School in Vivian, Louisiana, and met the love of his life, Bonnie Kethley, of Rodessa. They wed February 16, 1962, and were married for 62 years until her death in March 2024.

After several years away working, expanding their family, and furthering his education, Leon moved with Bonnie, son Jeff, and daughter Jennifer closer to home, settling in Gilmer, Texas, in 1979. Leon worked at Lone Star Steel until 1986. Following a brief time teaching at LeTourneau University in Longview, he began working as a mechanical engineer at Stemco, where he remained until 2014, working until the age of 76.

Leon was a Gideon, speaking at many local churches and sharing the Gospel, giving away innumerable Bibles and New Testaments for nearly two decades.

Relocating to Longview, Texas, in 2009, Leon and Bonnie became active members of Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Following Bonnie's passing, he remained a beloved member and attended as long as physically possible. He will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, his love for family and friends, his love for Jesus Christ, his love for good food, and his wry sense of humor.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Opal (Hurdle) Lovett, of Vivian, Louisiana, his siblings Betty (Heflin), Barbara (Keith), Joann (Hughes), Glenda (Benefield), brother David, and several nieces and nephews. He is united in death with his wife, Bonnie, and beloved son, Jeff. He is survived by daughter, Jennifer (DeVane), four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in the small Perkins Chapel at the rear of the Woodland Hills Baptist Church campus on East Loop 281 in Longview, Texas, April 11 at 11:00 am, with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to either Highway 80 Rescue Mission of Longview, Texas, or Gideons International, whose mission is distributing God's word both locally and world-wide. Find out more at https://sendtheword.org.