James Leonard McLain, 85, passed away on December 13th in Pearland. He joined in death his beloved wife of 47 years, Evelyn, who left in April. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Jasper Lee McLain and Mary Rachel McLain, and four brothers, Emmett, Doug, Garland, and Lee Roy McLain. Leonard is survived by three children, James Daniel McLain, Cynthia McLain Stephan, and Douglas Todd McLain six grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren his brother Rab McLain and numerous nieces and nephews.
Leonard was born in Normangee, Texas in 1928, and later moved with his family to Channelview. Professionally he worked as a heavy equipment operator on various construction projects throughout Houston and the Gulf Coast area, including some downtown Houston skyscrapers and the Bay City Nuclear power plant. He was proud to be a member of Union Local 450 for 65 years. Leonard was also a Scottish rite free mason, and served in the Army reserves for ten years. In retirement, he and his wife moved to Dennard, Arkansas and later to the Forest Hills subdivision of Livingston.
Leonard was an amazing problem solver, but with an artists eye for ingenuity and creativity. A very capable man that could build or fix just about everything. He also loved the outdoors. As a sportsman he enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, and as a gardener, he grew impressive vegetable gardens, and beautiful fruit and pecan trees. Leonard learned to play numerous musical instruments on his own, piano, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, etc., and loved to sing as soon as he started playing.
He never met a stranger, and with his wife, created a warm wonderful life for both of them. Leonard is missed and will always be fondly remembered and loved by those who knew him.
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