Dinzel D. Leonard

Dinzel D. Leonard, 94, of Canadian, died December 22, 2017 in Canadian. Services will be 1:30 PM Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at the First Baptist Church in Canadian with Ben Mathers, Deacon, officiating. Private burial will follow in Mobeetie Cemetery in Mobeetie under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian. Mr. Leonard was born March 27, 1923 in Mobeetie, Tx to Robert & Tassie Mae Patterson Leonard. He graduated from Mobeetie High School and entered the United States Army on Jan. 15, 1943. Dinzel was a Staff Sergeant serving in North Africa, the European Theatre in France and Germany, and was attached to Company C of the 82nd Engineer Battalion. Dinzel was awarded the Purple Heart with a Bronze oak leaf cluster, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. After being discharged on December 22, 1946, he returned to the Texas Panhandle and married LaNell Scribner on December 24, 1946 in Mobeetie. They celebrate 71 years of marriage. Dinzel surrendered to the ministry and graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a degree in Religion. He served as a Baptist pastor in Flomont, Hart, Dalhart, Canadian and two Oklahoma churches in Yukon and Laverne. In 1992 Dinzel and Nell retired and returned to Canadian. He continued to serve as an Interim Pastor at churches across the Texas Panhandle. Survivors include his wife, Nell Leonard of the home; two daughters, Ann Gibbs of Elk City, OK, June Brunson & husband Jerry of Canadian; a son, Michael Leonard & wife Mary Jo of Canadian; 7 Grandchildren, Greta Gibbs Bloyd & husband Doug of Lincoln, Nebraska, Drew Gibbs of Elk City, OK, Belton Gibbs & wife Skye of Macomb, OK, Cindy Brunson Nikkel & husband Darren of Hereford, Trent Brunson & wife Clare of Atlanta, GA,   Ebbie Brunson of Amarillo, Kami Leonard Gilmour & husband Andrew of Canadian; 14 Great Grandchildren; brothers, Aubrey Lee Leonard of Pampa, Joe Fred & wife Delores of Wichita Falls. Dinzel was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Janis Mae; a grandson Travis Neal Brunson; two sisters, Lavern Newman and Roberta Stevens; three brothers, William Allen Leonard, Lester Leonard and Jessie Ray Leonard. Memorials may be made to the Lone Star Angel Project, PO Box 303, Canadian, Tx 79014