Leon Frank Machell went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 13, 2015.
A godly man with a gentle loving spirit, as God was always first in his life, Leon was born in Rocky, Oklahoma on August 20, 1920 to Edwin and Frances Machell. This is where he would spend the first 16 years of his life with his parents and younger sister Dorothy.
In 1936, during the Dust Bowl, the family moved to Redwood City near relatives. It was in 1939 at the First Baptist Church where Leon met the love of his life, Vivian. They just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.
During WWII, Leon entered Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York, graduating in 1943 with a Marine Engineer License. He was enrolled in the U.S. Naval Reserve and in the U.S. Coast Guard and sailed on Liberty ships throughout the Pacific Theater. In August 1945 he was in Buckner Bay, Okinawa when the war ended. He was discharged as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946.
When the war ended, Leon and Vivian returned to Redwood City where their two children, Brett and Denise, were born. 1958 was the year they moved to Lodi where he went to work for General Mills, retiring in 1984 as a Production Supervisor. During their retirement years they traveled in their RV, went on cruises, toured the UK, Germany, and Israel. He also volunteered for STARS for many years.
Leon was an active member of Temple Baptist Church singing in the choir. He had a beautiful singing voice. He loved to read, go camping and be with his family and friends.
Leon is survived by his wife Vivian, children Brett (Linda) Machell and Denise (Ed) Surprenant, 9 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.
VISITATION
No visitation will be held
SERVICES
Celebration of Life Friday Jan. 16, 11:00 am Temple Baptist Church, 801 S Lower Sacramento Rd, Lodi, CA 95242 (In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Baptist Church or Hospice of San Joaquin.)
INTERMENT
Cherokee Memorial Park (private family service)