T. Leon Wells

Theodore Leon Wells was born in Mineola, Texas on March 27, 1941 to Leon Wells and Dora Belcher Wells.   He graduated from Hawkins Schools and served in the U.S. Army Reserve.  He worked many years for Volkswagen and was known as a skilled mechanic on Volkswagen Beetles.  He owned a service station in Hawkins, Leon’s Exxon, where his sons, Michael and Larry worked with him.  In 1965, he married Sallye Mitchell of Hawkins.  The two of them raised their four children and were active in 1^st Baptist Church in Hawkins.  After the service station, he worked and retired from Texas Eastman Company.   However, he quickly started his next career driving an 18-wheeler cross-country with Sallye.  After this adventure, he worked many years at Big Sandy Sand Company.  Most recently, he was a relief driver checking oil and gas wells for several years.   Following Sallye’s death, Leon married Rene Brown Wells of Hawkins in 2013.  For the last eleven years, Leon and Rene have enjoyed raising cows, riding around his farm on the mule, and enjoying the outdoors.  Leon and Rene loved attending game night with friends on Thursday at Cross Brand Church and having get togethers with family and friends.   Leon will be remembered for his strong work ethic.  It was only a year ago, at 82, when he truly retired and actually did not have a regular job.  Leon, at his core, was a cowboy.  Most people in Hawkins simply called him, “Cowboy” because they grew up seeing him on a horse.  He was gentle with animals, an excellent shot with any gun, made a legendary homemade ice cream, and was known to plan small projects during half-time of the super bowl.  We will miss hearing him say, “Hey! What’s going on?” or “Come on in this house,” or “Y’all come see us sometime.”  

Leon is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Sallye Mitchell Wells, great-granddaughters, Edith Brooke and Mary Ann Wells, his parents and sister.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Rene Brown Wells, son, Michael and his wife Chanyce of Longview, son, Larry and his wife Deana of Hoover, Alabama, son Mathis and his wife Karla of Hawkins, and daughter, Laurie of Troup, Texas.  He leaves a legacy through seven grandchildren: Michael’s sons, Brandon and Mitchell Wells, Larry’s children, Tiffany and Patrick Wells, Mathis’ children Kyndall and Zakary Wells and Katy Preston, twelve great-grandchildren and #13 on the way.  

Funeral services for Leon will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, April 8, 2024 at First Baptist Church – Hawkins.  A visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Croley Funeral Home – Hawkins.