Neal D. Leech

Neal D. Leech, 96, of Shawnee, died Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in a local hospital. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 3 in the chapel of Walker Funeral Service with LaVerna Lou Thiemann and the Rev. Jeffrey Brock officiating. Neal was born January 24, 1923 in Espanola, New Mexico to Harry R. & Zesta (Marshall) Leech. They moved to Oklahoma when he was 3 years old. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1940, and from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1952. He worked as chemist for the United States Government. On April 18, 1946 he married Lou Eveline Hudson, and together they enjoyed 73 years of marriage. During World War II Neal served in the U.S. Army/Air Corp. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and loved to visit Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel Acres. Neal joined the Masonic Lodge #107 in 1958 and was Worshipful Master in 1964. He was quite active and received the Oklahoma Medal of Honor in 2017. He was also a member of Scottish Rite and York Rite, and was KYCH and KCCH. He was active in Masonry until shortly before his death. He also belonged to Chapter 43 of the Eastern Star. Their daughter, LaVerna Lou Leech, was born on February 13, 1948, and their son, Neal David Leech was born on February 6, 1952. Neal dearly loved his wife, Lou, and he loved all of his family. He was so proud of his grandson and his wife, David and Janice Thiemann, his granddaughter, Kelli Nicole Leech and his great grandchildren, Robert Duncan, Jillian Rana and Isabelle Rose Thiemann. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Roy and Effie Virginia Hudson. He is survived by his wife, Lou; his daughter and son-in-law: LaVerna Lou & Robert Thiemann; his son and daughter-in-law, N. David & Billie Leech; grandchildren: Robert David & Janice Thiemann, and Kelli Nicole Leech; and his great-grandchildren: Robert Duncan Thiemann, Jillian Rana Thiemann, and Isabelle Rose Thiemann. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Neal’s memory to Bethel United Methodist Church, 35500 Hardesty Rd., Shawnee, OK 74801.