Leon Michael Tebo

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leon Michael Tebo, affectionately known as Leon, on April 4, 2023, at the age of 79. Born on April 9, 1943, in Chicago, IL, Leon passed away peacefully of natural causes in Johnson City, TN, just 5 days shy of celebrating his 80th Birthday on Easter Sunday. A loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Leon will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Leon is survived by his daughters, Anna Hogan, Angel Fore, and Cheryl Clayville along with their families. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Natalie, Ryan, Grant, and Alani Hogan; Christopher Newton; Jeremy, Chris, Matt Clayville; and Emily Menard, and eleven great-grandchildren. Leon is also survived by his brother, Noel and sister, Ardell, and his predeceased sister, Audrey.

Leon began his pursuit of education early in life, achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His hard work and dedication allowed him to distinguish himself in various professional roles, ranging from engineering to business management.

After graduating, Leon served as General Manager at Hiram Walker and designed the automated bottling plant at Pernod Ricard USA in Little Rock, Arkansas. Later, he brought his leadership and expertise to Orly in Los Angeles, California, as General Manager. Leon continued to explore entrepreneurial opportunities as President and owner of Source of Beauty in Raleigh, North Carolina, before transitioning to a career in healthcare as a Cardiac Sonographer in the same city.

Throughout his life, Leon was known for his helpfulness, whether lending a hand on household projects or with countless homework assignments. He was an expert builder, renowned among friends and family for his precise measurements and ability to create anything with his hands. Leon took great pride in his family, especially his daughters and grandchildren, who were always a source of happiness and joy for him.

Leon's humor brought smiles to the faces of everyone around him, as he was often found sharing his repertoire of corny jokes or cutting out lawyer jokes from newspapers. A loving father, he was known for making PB and J sandwiches and breakfast was always his favorite meal. Leon's other interests included classic cars, especially Corvettes, and his love for various magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Car and Driver.

A well-read and informed man, Leon was an avid listener of the news and a passionate reader of books. He enjoyed science fiction and was a huge Star Trek fan. Leon also loved spending time with his best pal, Corndog Bob, a friendship that brought much joy and laughter to their lives.

Leon's generosity went beyond his family and friends. He volunteered as Santa at PetSmart, bringing holiday cheer to pets and their families. He fostered kittens and cats and was a passionate fundraiser for Franklin County NC Humane Society, now d/b/a Paws for Life. In his lifetime, he donated over 500 gallons of blood, earning recognition from the American Red Cross. He also gave the gift of life as a Stem Cell donor for a match recipient in South Carolina, and as a tissue and bone donor posthumously.

Leon's faith and passion for life were evident in everything he did. As American novelist Richard Bach once said, "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly." Though Leon's physical presence is no longer with us, his passionate, generous, and faith-filled spirit will live on through the countless lives he touched.

In loving memory of Leon, friends and family are invited to share stories, laughter, and remembrances at a celebration of life service. We will join together to honor a man who impacted the lives of so many and will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 3pm at the Meredith Pavilion located at Winged Deer Park, 250 Carroll Creek Road, Johnson City, TN, rain or shine.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Leon’s memory to his favorite charities: The American Red Cross (redcross.org), Red Nose Day (comicrelief.org), and Paws for Life (http://pawsforlifenc.org)