Leander Garrett Menefee

     Leander Garrett Menefee passed away peacefully at his home on October 20, 2023. He was 100 years old, nine days short of his 101st birthday.

     A lifelong resident of Edna, Mr. Menefee was born on October 29, 1922, the oldest son of George Ernest and Blanche Hopkins Menefee. After graduating from Edna High School in 1940, he attended Texas A&M College until 1942 when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Garrett served as an Aerial Navigator in a Marine transport squadron initially stationed in Honolulu and later in Guam. He was honorably discharged as Technical Sargent on November 19, 1945.

     After his return to Edna in December of 1945, Garrett worked various jobs until assuming a position with Magnolia Oil (later Mobil) at the Vanderbilt field in 1947. In 1948, he married Wilma Jean Townsend and the couple had five daughters―Linda, Blanche, Molly, Sally, and Judy. He retired from ExxonMobile in 1982 after working thirty-six years with the company. Garrett and Jean were married for sixty-seven years before Jean’s passing in 2015. 

     He is survived by his daughters, Linda Reaves and her husband Bill of Edna, Blanche Charkalis and her husband George of Victoria, Molly Myers of Austin, Sally Gaskin and her husband Steve of Dallas, and Judy Lundy of Edna; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

     Garrett Menefee was a devoted husband and a loving father to his girls. He lived a long and fulfilling life and was a proud resident of Jackson County, descending from a pioneering family prominent in the founding and early affairs of the county, the Republic, and ultimately the State of Texas.

     Over the last several years of his life Garrett was ably assisted by the staff at Harbor Hospice in Victoria, and lovingly attended to by a stellar caregiving team. The family expresses gratitude to all these individuals for their loyal service and devoted attention.

     Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be held on a later date.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to Texana Arts Council at www.EdnaTheatre.com, P.O. Box 1334, Edna, Texas, 77957, or a nonprofit or charity of choice.

     Arrangements are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna, (361)782-2221. www.oaklawnfhednatx.com