Leon H. Gerlich

GERLICH, LEON H.
Nov. 10, 1931-Sept. 2, 2018

On Sept. 2nd, the Texas Aggies fan club in heaven welcomed another ""12th man:"" Leon H. Gerlich of Littleton, CO. Leon was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the prestigious Ross Volunteer Company, the oldest honor guard and drill team in Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1954. Throughout his life, he supported the Aggies with unwavering devotion, and the occasional curse when they dropped the football.

Born in Yoakum, Texas to August Louis Gerlich and Annie Marie Schroeder, he was a 1950 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, TX. He married Dorothy Elizabeth Scarboro in 1953, who predeceased him in 2014. He is survived by his children, Karen Gerlich, Marian Gerlich, Gregory Gerlich and Kirsten Cordova, and their spouses, Dave Mattie, Edward Placidi, Donna Gerlich and Jim Cordova; and grandchildren, Lauren Eckstrom, Corey Popejoy, Kaleigh Gerlich, Francesca Placidi, Steven Cordova, Jeffrey Cordova and Grayson Gerlich.

Following his graduation from Texas A&M, Leon entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant and served at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He was in the Air Force Reserves from 1956 through 1967 and achieved the rank of Captain. In 1956, he began a long and successful career as a geologist with Chevron Oil Company, moving with his family from Texas to California, Oklahoma and Colorado. He retired from Chevron in 1990.

In retirement he turned to active pursuits, bowling and enjoying the company of his devoted children and grandchildren. He took tremendous pleasure in family gatherings where music, laughter and story-telling abounded.

A devout Catholic, he belonged to St. Mary Catholic Parish in Littleton, and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight from 1966-67 in Midland, TX.

Recitation of the Rosary will be Sunday, September 16, 2018 3:00pm at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial, CO 80122. A Funeral Mass will take place Monday, September 17, 2018 at 10:30am, St. Mary’s Catholic Church 6853 S. Prince St., Littleton, CO 80120. Burial will take place at 1:30pm following the Mass at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80235. Inquiries may be directed to: Mgerlich@aol.com

In lieu of flowers, Leon requested donations to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of his mother, Annie M. Gerlich, where a tribute page has been set up in her name: AnnGerlichTribute&Donations (Click on link below)

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