James Eugene “Gene” Leavelle

James Eugene “Gene” Leavelle passed from this life to the arms of the Savior, on October 22, 2020, at the age of 94. Gene was born July 26, 1926, in Amarillo, Texas, to Virgil Eugene and Roma Lea (Thornton) Leavelle. He attended Amarillo High School, graduating in 1944 at the height of WWII. At the age of 17, Gene joined the US Naval Reserve, and over the next two years served his country aboard the USS Tamalpais as a Radioman 3/C, bringing fresh water to US ships fighting in the Pacific. Eight months after the surrender of Japan, Gene was honorably discharged in July, 1946, and returned to his home in Amarillo.

The evening of his return, Gene was introduced by his mother to the love of his life, Loretta Hoover. They were married on December 23, 1946, and raised five children, the 5J’s, in Amarillo and across softball and baseball fields of southwest Houston. Gene and Loretta celebrated 54 years of marriage before Loretta’s death in 2000.

Using the GI Bill, Gene attended Amarillo Business College and West Texas State University, graduating in 1950 with a BBA in Accounting. Gene was employed with Continental Carbon Company in 1952, and within a few years had earned his designation as a Texas Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Over the course of 38+ years, Gene was promoted through many titles, including Chief Accountant and Tax Chief, to Director of Administration, retiring in 1991. He loved his work at ConCarb and the wonderful friends he made.

In retirement, Gene continued until two years ago to organize reunions for his ConCarb friends and retirees, for his shipmates on the USS Tamalpais, for his extended Leavelle family, and for his local Neighborhood Watch.

Gene and Loretta were faithful members of the Church of Christ for their entire lives. They helped establish two new churches, Forest Hills Church of Christ in Amarillo, where Gene served as a Deacon, and later Rice Avenue Church of Christ in Bellaire, where Gene was an Elder for over 20 years.

Beloved family who preceded Gene in death include his wife, Joyce Loretta Hoover Leavelle of Houston; his parents, Virgil and Roma Leavelle of Amarillo; brothers Harold Leavelle (Virginia) of Parker, Colorado, and Wallace Leavelle (Betty) of Irving; sister, Betty Jo Leavelle Kendrick (Clinton) of Arvada, Colorado; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other loved ones with whom he now rejoices in Heaven.

Those left to cherish Gene’s memory are his daughters, Judy Key of Pflugerville; Janet Leavelle of Pflugerville; Janie Tanner of Bertram (Randel); and Jackie Gabbart of Austin (Randy); and son, Jim Leavelle of Corpus Christi (Amy). Gene enjoyed ten grandchildren: Blake Scott, Ryan Davino, Dustin Davino, Joshua Tanner, Eric Tanner, Travis Key, Neil Gabbart, Stephanie Scott, Ashley Wiggins, Carlin Leavelle; and 7 great-grandchildren, Daeni and Asher Scott, Braeden and Kinley Scott, Clara Gabbart; Wyatt Head-Gabbart; and Tomi Jo Tanner. He will be missed by a host of extended family and friends across Texas.

An Austin memorial service will be held Friday, October 30, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, Texas. Visitation is at 1:00 pm, followed by a Military Honors ceremony at 2:00 pm at Memorial Hill. A reception for family and friends will follow in the chapel room at 2:45 pm.

Final services will be held in Houston on Saturday, October 31, at Rosewood Funeral Home Atascocita, 17404 West Lake Houston Parkway, Atascocita, Texas, 77346. Visitation is at 1:00 pm, followed by funeral ceremonies at 2:00 pm in the Chapel. The family will receive guests at a reception to follow in the community room at 2:45 pm.

Interment will be held privately at Rosewood Funeral Home, Mausoleum, Humble, Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to:

The National Museum of the Pacific War, 311 E Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Kerlin-Lyerly American Legion Post 154, Post Office Box 3587, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Westbury Christian School, 10420 Hillcroft Street, Houston, TX 77096