Leonard Charles Labbe

Leonard Charles LabbeThe life of Leonard Charles Labbe will be celebrated next month at the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas. Hosted by his daughters, the gathering will be attended by family members of Labbe who passed away on February 9th, his 92nd birthday.Labbe was born in 1921 in Akron, Ohio, the son of Theresa Marie and Edward George Labbe. One of ten children, Labbe had seven brothers who preceded him in death: Jack, Edward, Richard, Joe, Lawrence, James, and Paul. He is survived by two sisters, Cecilia Johnson of Mogadore, Ohio and Mary Ann Hileman of Ocala, Florida.Proud of his military service, Labbe served in the Army Air Corps in WWII and was stationed in North Africa under Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhowers command where he provided radio assistance to American and British pilots participating in Europes air war.After the war, Labbe returned to Akron and worked as a machinist, fabricating tools and demonstrating the resourcefulness common to those in The Greatest Generation. It was in Akron that Labbe met and married Willie Sue Nall to whom he would be married for 51 years.Moving to Wichita Falls, Texas in 1947, Labbe trained to certify as a dental technician where his artistry in porcelain and precious metals grew his business, Dental Technicians, Inc., which he opened in 1960. Labbe helped organize the Texas State Dental Laboratory Association and served as its president in the early 70s.A born storyteller, Leonard enjoyed writing fiction and poetry. His numerous hobbies produced wood-carved birds, intricately tied fishing lures, and lost wax castings. He loved to play golf, and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan beginning with the 1960 expansion team. Quite the pool player, Leonard went on to win numerous awards in Texas Senior Olympic tournaments. He and Willie Sue spent as much time as possible in their beloved cabin in Ruidoso, NM.Most of all Leonard loved his family. Though his wife preceded him in death in 1998, he is survived by daughters Vicki Poole and her husband Ron of Lake Kiowa, Texas and Barbara McLean and her husband Bruce of Midland, Texas. Papa adored his four grandchildren: John Poole and his wife Johanna, James Poole, Amanda Richardson and her husband Scott, and Michael Murphy and his wife Penny. He also leaves four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Always the gentleman, Daddy was a kind and gentle family patriarch.Memorials in Leonard Labbes honor can be made to the USO, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,