OBITUARY James Leon Kerr January 3, 1921 – December 14, 2018 James Leon Kerr, lifelong resident of Houston, Texas departed this life December 13, 2018 at the age of 97 at the home of his daughter in Alexandria, Louisiana surrounded by family. He was born 1/3/1921 to Walter James and Margaret Daisy Booth Kerr. He attended Holy Name, Sherman Elementary, and Marshall Jr High schools.
Graduated in 1940 from Jefferson Davis. While at Davis, he was on the boxing team. After graduation, Leon joined the Navy in 1942 servicing naval aircraft.
He was discharged in 1945 with an aviation machinist mate 1st class rating. After the war he attended The University of Houston and returned to work for Texas and New Orleans (now Southern Pacific} and the Rock Islands railroads before being employed as a traffic manager at Petro Tex Chemical Corp in Pasadena, Texas. He also worked for Matador Chem before retiring from Denka (formerly Petro Tex Chem).
James Leon married the love of his life, Norma Jean Johnson Kerr 1/23/1943. They were together for 63 years at the time of her death in 2006. After his retirement, Leon and Norma Jean traveled extensively thru all 50 states and part of Mexico and Canada.
Besides traveling, his hobbies included golfing, bowling (until early 2018) and model trains. Leon also ushered for Rice University football, basketball and baseball for 58 years. He also ushered the River Oakes Tennis tournament for many years.
He was a charter member (1976) of Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity. Leon will be welcomed into his forever home by his parents, his beloved wife and much loved sisters, Mary Margaret Slevin, Lucille Bowling, Ellen Kaye, Marie Cole and Shirley Bukosbe. Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Kevin Leon Kerr; daughters, Alma Jean King, Karen and husband, Steve McMinn, Patti and husband, John Tweedell and Laurilee and husband, Ron Burns; grandchildren Angela and husband, Greg O’Neal, Andrea King, Stephen and wife, Janeene Mc Minn, Kathryn and husband, Bobby Ensminger, Andrew Tweedell, Sarah Tweedell, Travis Burns and Brianna Burns: 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and the many friends at Del Mar Bowling Lanes.
Visitation will be at Heights Funeral Home, Houston, Texas on Monday, December 17, 2018 from 2pm – 8pm. Graveside services at Hollywood Cemetery, Houston, Texas on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 10am.
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