Leon Wesley Toungate, Husband, Father, grandfather, storyteller, patriot and the owner and operator of Toungate Pipe and Salvage in Luling Texas, passed away peacefully at Orchard Park in Kyle Texas on September 20th, 2019 at the age of 93.
Leon was born to John Levi and Louvenia Rutledge Toungate in Loraine, Texas on November 27, 1925. At the age of fourteen, he met Margaret Bishop, and fell in love at first sight. From 1944 to 1946, Leon served in the US Navy. During his service he oversaw a supply depot while stationed in Guam and served as one of Admiral Nimitz personal secretaries. Following his discharge from the service, he immediately married Margaret on June 9th, 1946 in Prairie Lea, Texas. Leon worked hard in salvage and attending college at SW Texas State Teachers College from which he graduated in 1949. Together, Leon and Margaret weather life’s storms and raised a loving family in Luling Texas. In the Early 1950’s Leon started his career at Toungate Pipe and Salvage in Luling Texas where he was a fixture in the community for over 65 years and loved to spin tales and share stories with his friends and clients. Toungate Pipe and Salvage was run faithfully and honestly until the business was closed in 2017. Leon’s heart was one of service. He found his place at the First Baptist Church in Luling, where he served as a Deacon for many years. In 1972, Leon and Margaret decided that they had earned a vacation and that they needed to start taking them. These vacations happened each summer, year after year, and spanned several weeks. When on vacation, they would explore America’s National Parks and either went directly to or ended up in Yellowstone, their favorite destination.
Leon was an incredible storyteller. As a Texas native, he has a storied ancestry with his great grandfather, Meredith Toungate, serving for Sam Houston during Texas’ war of independence, was responsible for guarding General Santa Anna after his capture. His own war service and the service of his family made him into a true patriot who loved his country and Texas. Leon was quite a character, he loved sharing stories and writing. During his service in the Navy, Leon wrote Margaret incisively, utilizing every space and margin to share his thoughts and stories with her. These letters and stories were later complied into a book.
Leon is survived by his devoted wife of seventy-three years, Margaret Bishop Toungate, his children Shirley Toungate Austin and her husband Rod, Dennis Toungate and his wife Sandra, his grandchildren Misty Pagel (Ezra), Aaron Schulelke, Marisa Eastmon, Mark Schulelke, Jeremy Toungate (Erin), Brandy Crober (TJ), Jessie Bolding (Amber), Paisley Bolding, Kenny Austin (Rosemary) and Kristi Augustine (Sheldon). His presence and stories will also be missed by his twenty-three great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Please join us in celebration of Leon’s remarkable legacy with a time of visitation at Harrell Funeral Home, 1715 Kirby, Kyle Texas on Monday, September 30th, 2019, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will follow on Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 at 11:00 am also at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle. Interment will take place at 2:00 pm with honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas.
