Leon Sowell Jr.
April 16th, 1928 - October 21st, 2008
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Leon's Obituary
Leon V. Sowell Jr., 80, of South Haven died Tuesday, October 21 at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven.
He was born April 16, 1928 in Macon, Georgia to Leon V. and Katie Mae (Greer) Sowell Sr. Leon graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1946. Upon graduation, Leon joined the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman and served for two years. Leon then went into the Navy Reserve and was called back to active duty during the Korean Conflict in 1951. Leon decided to make a career out of the Navy, and served on various ships and stations ending his active service by spending his last years in Vietnam attached to the 1st Marine Division as a Fleet Marine. Leon’s next career after retiring in 1968 was at South Haven Community Hospital, working there for 22 years as Materials Manager. After retiring from the hospital he worked at Wal-Mart as a door greeter for 15 years, regretfully leaving there due to health reasons. Because Leon missed the military so much, he joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in July 1976 and spent many years crewing aboard the tug Wilhelm Baum. He finally retired from the auxiliary after 30 years active duty.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves behind his wife –Patricia E. Sowell. Son – David Lee ( Christine) Sowell and daughter – Kathleen Louise (Thomas) Restrick. 3 grandchildren – Jaison Restrick, Emily Sowell and Dana Restrick. He also leaves behind his brother – William D. (Mary) Sowell, many nieces, nephews not to mention other relatives that he has touched, and friend. Leon also leaves his stories of so many things, and his love for camping with his camping buddies and in-laws Bill and Bernie Plaehn, He will be sorely missed.
Visitation will be Friday, October 24 from 6 – 8 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Saturday at funeral home 11:00 A.M. with Rev. John Fisher officiating. Burial will take place at McDowell Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 18-01 or to the American Diabetes Association. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333.
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