Robert Leldon Thompson

Robert Leldon Thompson, of Kosse, passed away at the home of family in Hearne, on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at age 81. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Ebenezer Cemetery, with Rev. Milton Woodall officiating. Pallbearers will be Donald Williams, Walter Taylor, Pat Taylor, and Adam Krumnow. Leldon was born on December 6, 1928 to Everett and Elma Elizabeth (Brown) Thompson at Kosse. He grew up and attended school at Kosse, and then entered the Army, where he served four years during the Korean War. He worked all his life as a tile setter, in the Houston and Magnolia area. Leldon was united in marriage with Mary Jane Thomas on July 21, 1975, and they lived in Magnolia, until he retired in 1990. They moved back to Kosse then, where Leldon loved to spend much of his time in yard work, mowing not only his but the neighbor’s yards. In fact he broke his hip when he fell out of a neighbors tree he was trimming. He also loved to walk everyday, and walked his best buddy, Hobo, as long as the dog lived. He was called Cowboy by one son, due to his rodeo days when he was a young man. Leldon loved to sing country music; he sang while he was working, or walking, or just at home. His children grew up loving music from living with his singing. He especially sang Willie Nelson songs, sounding like Willie. The day before he died, at the daughters’ request for a song, he was singing “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” Leldon was in fact a blue-eyed cowboy who was irresistible to his family and friends. Leldon adored his wife, and was a kind, loving husband. And he loved his children, the grandchildren, and especially the babies. His family was the most precious thing in life to him. He had special fond nicknames for each grandchild. Leldon was a man of great humor, and kept the family entertained with stories, which they often had to wonder whether to believe or to laugh about. He was a gentle giant; a little man with a big heart. Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by his parent; a son, Tom Taylor; and two brothers, Curtis Thompson and Arnold Thompson. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane Thompson; daughter, Leilani Leonard and husband Doyle of Elgin, OK; daughter, Mary Ann Williams and husband Don of Hearne; son, Jerry Taylor and wife Debbie of Russelville, KY; son, Walter Taylor and wife Judy of Groesbeck; son, Patrick Taylor and wife Jennifer of Boise, Idaho; fourteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and four sisters, Olene Bundy of Houston, Marie Kelly of Houston, Faye Chambers of Kosse, and Mary Alice Wright of Houston.