James Michael Mcleod

James Michael McLeod passed away on April 26, 2014. He was born to Lois and Leon McLeod on July 9, 1945 in Crockett, Texas.�His father, Leon McLeod,�passed away�when he was only a month old.�Talmadge Shanks came into�their lives, marrying Lois when Mike was 3 years old.�He and Karen Lansford met�in 9th grade Biology class, dated in high school�and were married�September 18, 1965 after Karen graduated.� Mike graduated from Crockett High School in 1963, and then attended Sam Houston State University for one year.� After that, he started working at Armour Packing Company�in Houston until�he was drafted into the US Marines in January of 1966.� During his service time, he spent 14 months in the jungles of Vietnam before returning home�to Karen and his one year old daughter Michele.� Michele was born while Mike was away in the service.� Karen lived in Crockett while Mike was�in�Vietnam.� After Mike's military service, they moved back to Houston where he could create a better life for his growing family.� He spent most of his working life self-employed in the construction business on the North side of Houston.� He was a simple man who enjoyed restoring old cars and traveling around the US.� Later in life when he had time to slow down, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.� He will be missed by many. James is preceded in death by his fathers Leon McLeod and Talmadge Shanks. He is survived by his wife, Karen Suzanne McLeod; daughter, Michele Gordon and husband Willis, and grandchildren, Heather, Cortney, and Trey; son, Chris McLeod; daughter, Melissa Curley and husband Michael, and grandchildren, Nick and Lexi; son, Eric McLeod and wife Monica, and grandchildren, Meggan, Tyler, Cheyenne, Shelby, and McKenna; daughter, Alysia West and husband Justin, and grandchildren Katelyn, Madison, Dawson, and Leanne; daughter, Allison Herrick and husband Jeff, and grandchildren Addison, Joshua, and Jonah; daughter, April Deaton and husband Josh, and grandchildren Collin, Caden, and soon to be arriving Baby Boy Deaton; daughter, Ashley Hughes and husband Ryan; daughter, Lindsey Jones and husband Dennis, and grandchildren Taylor and Hailey; son, Cory McLeod; mother, Lois Shanks; sisters, Dorothy Curry and Laverne Colson and husband Kenneth and their children; aunts, Jane Tyer, Frances Cheff, and Mattie Clark McLeod; uncles, Tut Rich and Edd Rich; and numerous relatives and friends. Serving as pallbearers are Chris McLeod, Eric McLeod, Cory McLeod, Willis Gordon, Justin West, Jeff Herrick, Josh Deaton, and Dennis Jones. Honorary pallbearers are Trey Gordon, Michael Curley, and Ryan Hughes.