Royce Fleming Leavelle, Sr. passed from this life Sunday, September 23, 2001, at the age of 87. He was born November 19, 1913, to David Howard Leavelle and Elizabeth Robertson Leavelle, in Franklin County, Texas. Mr. Leavelle farmed for many years, was a machinist at Douglas Aircraft during WWII and Tinker Field until his retirement in 1963. He also ran a help-yourself laundry in Terral. He married Lola McCalip March 27, 1934, in Waurika, Oklahoma. He loved to walk their dog Ginger and stop to talk with neighbors.

Mr. Leavelle was baptized in the Church of Christ in 1979 at Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. He helped with Vacation Bible School, wearing his bathrobe to be an apostle or wise man. He lived in Terral, Oklahoma City, and California as well as Midwest City (28 years) and Ft. Gibson (12 years). He was a 32nd degree Mason. His last ten years were spent in the retirement community in The Woodlands, Texas.

He was a hard worker and very proud of his family. His eyes lit up at the mention of a friend or especially one of his great grandkids. He spent many hours visiting the nursing home and swapping talks with the older men and women who thought they had known him all their lives. He received a plaque for all his good work. He also loved to go to the barber shop to get what little hair he had cut, and to hear all the news. He was a friend to all who knew him. He loved to drive his Ft. Gibson Cadillac pickup.

During his last years, when his health permitted, he loved playing Bingo and he nearly always won.

Mr. Leavelle is survived by: his wife, Lola Leavelle, of The Woodlands, TX; one son - Royce, Jr., and his wife Martha; one daughter - Norma Leavelle Wilson and her husband John; four granddaughters - Carol Wilson, Lori Leavelle Dulany and her husband Ken, Linda Wilson Chambers and her husband Barry, and Kaye Leavelle; six great grandchildren - Laura, Greg and Kim Chambers, and Josh, Matt and Katy Dulany.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one infant brother - David Howard, Jr., brother Wesley Leavelle, and one sister Grace Leavelle.

Graveside services for Mr. Leavelle were Wednesday, September 26, 2001, at 1:00 PM in the Terral Cemetery with Larry Jackson officiating. Burial was under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Terral.