Leon was born on August 21, 1930, to Elsie Julie Harrell and Samuel Alton Holt in Ezzell. He was the 7th of 10 children and the youngest son. Leon learned early to pay attention to his elders and passed his knowledge of life's lessons on to anyone who would listen. He took great pride in being recognized for something he did that reminded others he was "Sam's boy".

Leon learned responsibility to others, joining the Air Force as active duty personnel, moving nine times without ever leaving the state of Texas. He also served /in and retired from the Air Force Reserves, with his unit being activated during the Vietnam War. He also retired from Civil Service after 21 years. Leon continued his service to community when he returned to the Hallettsville area by serving as a reserve deputy with the Lavaca County Sheriff's Office and as Lavaca County Constable for 5 years.

Leon married his "true love", Erna Faye Reid of Ezzell, on November 22, 1952. They had five children and lived life simply, but joyfully, for almost 59 years together. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws William Arnim Reid and Verna Mae Reid of Ezzell, his brothers James Alton Holt of Kyle and Archie Weldon "Pete" Holt of San Marcos, his sisters Irene Joyce Porter of San Antonio, Vericna Wynona "Kid" Fricks of San Marcos, and an infant sister Eunice Virginia Holt, his brother-in-laws Charles Ponton of Ezzell, Lt. Col. William Fricks of San Marcos, Robert Ullivig of San Antonio, Tom Moore of San Marcos, Von Tomasini of San Antonio, and Robert Simon of Martindale, Texas, his sister-in-law Betty Holt of San Marcos, his son-in-laws Michael John Ware of Katy, Texas and John Randall Muha of Corpus Christi, and his daughters Rhonda Jean Ware of Hallettsville and Linda Faye Mucala of Hallettsville.

Leon is survived by his wife Erna Faye, his children Patricia Ann Thurber and her husband Arlyn of Spokane, Washington, Kathryn LaVerne Shults and her husband Richard of Floresville, Texas, Leon Dwayne Holt and his wife Kathy of Hallettsville, and son-in-law Eugene Mucala of Hallettsville, his sisters Melvie Ree Tomasini of San Antonio, Mary Louise "Frog" Ullivig of San Antonio, Wilma Loy Simon of Martindale, and Zelma Merle Moore of Martindale, his sister-in-laws Margaret Marie Holt of Kyle, Billie Lavern Smith and her husband Lloyd of Ezzell, 13 grandchildren and their spouses, 21 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral Service: 11 am, Thursday, June 16, 2011, at Kubena Funeral Home. Visitation: 5 pm, Wednesday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Mike Thurber, Christopher Muha, David Muha, Derek Muha, Scooter Hebert, and William Holt. Honorary Pallbearers: James Thurber, Shane Hebert, Alex Holt, Garrett Walden, Jordan Faust, and Casey Shults. Officiate: Elvis Johnston. Memorials: Donor's Choice. Burial: Salem Cemetery, Ezzell, Texas.

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