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LAMONT, OK - Leon Delbert Rash, 76, of Lamont, OK, passed from this life to heaven on Tuesday morning, June 3, 2014, in Enid, OK, surrounded by his family. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Ponca City.
Leon was born December 4th, 1937, to Carl Preston and Goldie Blanche Rash in Anthony, Kansas. He went from elementary through high school at Wakita, OK, graduating in 1956.
It was at a Wakita football game, when he was 15, that he met his soulmate, Leola, who was 14. Leon and Leola were united in marriage January 25th, 1959. To this union, two children were born - Preston in 1960 and Regina in 1963.
He entered the United States Air Force in 1957 and served in security. He served one tour on the ground in Phan Rang, Vietnam, from 1965-1966. Throughout his 20 years in the Air Force, he was stationed in Okinawa, Vietnam, Wichita, Kansas, Nellis AFB in Las Vegas (twice), Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe (S.H.A.P.E.) Mons, Belgium, and Blytheville, AR. While at Blytheville, Leon received a humanitarian transfer to Vance AFB in Enid in order to provide blood transfusions for a sister with leukemia. He retired from the service while stationed at Vance in 1977.
While stationed at Vance, the family moved to Lamont, OK. Leon then began a 25-year career for Oklahoma Department of Transportation on I-35. Upon his final retirement, he pursued his lifelong dream of farming.
Throughout the years, Leon enjoyed restoring old cars, especially split window VW's and five-window Chevrolet pickups. As a young airman stationed in Las Vegas, he raced stock cars and in his later years he enjoyed watching NASCAR. He passed on his knowledge of cars to his five granddaughters by teaching them how to drive and care for a vehicle. Leon was gifted with mechanical skills and shared his knowledge and his tools with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Preston Leon Rash of Stillwater, his mother and father, and a sister.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Leola; daughter Regina and husband Kirk Warnick of Woodward; daughter-in-law Dea Muegge Rash of Stillwater; granddaughters: Chelsea (Warnick) and husband Owen Love of Norman, Rachel (Warnick) and husband Kyle Bilbo of Woodward, Katie Warnick of Woodward, and Kendra and Madison Rash of Stillwater.
At his request, he will be cremated. There will be no service. Eventually his ashes will be mixed with those of his lifelong sweetheart, Leola. If you wish to honor Leon, please make a contribution to Woodring Wall of Honor & Veterans Park Inc., with Anderson Funeral Home, 505 Thunderbird Road, PO Box 337, Tonkawa, OK 74653, acting as custodian. This is a new Veterans Memorial in Enid.
Vietnam Vets held a special place for Leon. When Leon returned home from serving his country in Phan Rang, Vietnam, he greeted his wife and two small children at the airport. He was wearing his dress uniform and carrying roses for his wife. But as he walked to greet them, many people spit on him. This memory remained with him until he died.
(Submitted by family)
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