Maurice James McLeod

Maurice James McLeod passed from this earth on October 6, 2018. He was born February 20, 1937 near Mason, Texas to Howard James and Erma Ioma McLeod. He moved to Abilene with his family in 1948 and remained in Abilene throughout his life. Maurice graduated from Abilene High School in 1954. He married Charlene McLeod on July 24, 1956. His young working life was spent as an employee of Thornton's Department Store. He began teaching in the Abilene Independent School District in 1969 at Bonham Elementary School and worked there for eight years. He moved to Johnston Elementary School in 1976 and remained there until his retirement in 1995 after 27 years of teaching. Maurice received an Associate in Arts degree from Ranger Junior College in 1957, the Bachelor of Science degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1967, and the Master in Education degree from Abilene Christian College in 1975. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Pathfinders Sunday School class. Maurice was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Charlene McLeod, parents Howard and Erma McLeod and his sister Mrs. Doris Pullen and her husband Otha Pullen. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Kenneth and Tonya McLeod of Houston, Texas, and his daughter and son-in-law Paula and James Fehleison of Arlington, Texas. He had four wonderful grandsons: Matt McLeod and wife Sarah, David McLeod and wife Emily, Jase Fehleison, and Ben Fehleison and wife Mary. He had six beautiful great grandchildren: Abigail, Marielle, and Hazel McLeod and Mason, Merritt, and Maren McLeod. He is also survived by nephew Larry Pullen and wife Jill of Texarkana, Texas and their daughters Heather Cox and Ashley Danley. Special thanks to Dr. Hari Kalla, Amy Newquist, Ann Herrara, Elizabeth Rodriguez and all of the caregivers at Texas Oncology in Abilene. Honorary pall bearers are his four grandsons along with Bob Gill, Dennis Newquist, Tommy McAlister, Charles Rice, Hoss Smith, and Wayne Bailey. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech St., Abilene, Texas. Service are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church Shared Ministries or to a favorite charity.