Albert Leonard

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Albert (Rube) Leonard of China Spring passed away Friday, April 13, 2007, at Hillcrest Hospital. He was 92 years old. Graveside services will be Monday, April 16, 2007, at 2:00 pm at the Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 South 5 th Street, Waco, Texas, with the Rev. John Carroll officiating. Visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, 2007, at the OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Albert was born on October 12, 1914, in Waco to Frank and Maud (Turner) Leonard. He has been a life long resident of Waco. He was an ambulance driver for Brown's Ambulance Service for several years before joining the Waco Police Department. In 1947 he originated the Waco Police Department Association. He started an official police training program in Waco and spent more than 10,000 hours instructing the recruiting classes. He was instrumental in gaining accreditation for the school. He retired from the Waco Police Department after 28 years of service. He then was Chief of Police in Mexia, Texas. In 1982, he was bailiff for Judge Joe Johnson for 10 years.

He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and was a Mason and a Shriner. He married Jessie Lee Dalrymple, the love of his life. They both enjoyed traveling to almost every State in the United States.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Frankie Hopkins, Mattie Sparkman and Marie Blackmon.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 74 years, Jessie Lee; his son, Judge Don Leonard and wife Judy of Austin; his sister, Margaret Dickenson and husband, Homer; his grandchildren, Debbie Walker, and Cindy Leonard; his great-grandchildren Donny Leonard , Megan Walker, Shelby Walker, Saralyn Walker, and Samuel Leonard; and his great-great grandchildren, Austin Leonard, Donald Leonard, Lillian Leonard and Sam Leonard.