Mickey Leonard

Michael King “Mickey” Leonard was born on August 16, 1941, in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  His parents, who preceded him in death, were Zebedee “Ike” Leonard and Selma King Leonard.  Mickey attended school in Chickasha where he excelled in football and basketball.  He graduated from the University of Science and Arts and was a Sergeant in the U. S. Army.  He lived in Denver, Colorado, then moved to Idabel in 1972 to join his brother, Charles Clarence “Chuck” Leonard, who also preceded him in death, in business.  He met Thela in Idabel and two months later, they were married.  Then began, in Mickey’s words, “The greatest time of his life being the father to Scott and Elizabeth.”  He adored them, and they adored him.  He thought life could not get any better, but it did.  Elizabeth married Jay Fitzgerald, and they presented him with two beautiful granddaughters, Laurel Elizabeth and Jayme Lynn.  Then, Scott married Terri VanDerMeer, and they gave him his next gift of a beautiful granddaughter, Ryen Elizabeth.  During these wonderful years, Mickey and Thela owned and operated Harry Houston Oil Co (Texaco) for 40 years.  He loved this business because of all the travels and opportunities it afforded, but he mostly enjoyed delivering product to Weyerhaeuser, where he loved visiting with all the “guys and gals.” He also owned and operated the Miki Mart as well as the filter company, Fillway Manufacturing. These companies allowed him to continue his visits to now International Paper and all the same guys and gals there.  Mickey was an avid golfer and could be found most afternoons and weekends on the course at the Idabel Country Club.  He served as a Board Member for many years, and “The Club” was very important to him, especially after he and Thela moved to the “6th Hole” in their backyard.  He played daily and loved watching all the golfers when he wasn’t playing. Visiting with them was a highlight of his retirement years.  

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law, Harry and Irene Houston, a brother and sister-in-law, Charles Clarence “Chuck” and Martha Leonard, and his brother-in-law Skippy Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Thela, his devoted son Scott Guthrie and his wife Terri, his loving daughter Elizabeth Fitzgerald and husband Jay.  He is also survived by the joys of his life, his three granddaughters, Laurel Fitzgerald and her husband Kyle Dooner, Jayme Fitzgerald Sprouse and her husband Andrew, and Ryen Elizabeth Guthrie who is attending Boston University.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sandra Smith and her daughters Sanda Gambol and Sendi Raney, his cousins Tony Benson and his wife GladysAnn, Fawn Creighton and Blaze Benson and his wife Jaime, Elton Ferguson, his nephews Mike Leonard and son, Colt, Mitch Leonard and daughter, Alex, and Charlie Leonard and his wife Tracy, and his cousin Esten Leonard and his wife Vera Jean.  Also, Mickey leaves all of his “golf buddies” and IP Friends to carry on his love of life, golf, and making everyone smile.

Mickey loved life.  In his words, “It was a good run. Don’t cry because we had too much fun.”  Mickey knew how much he was loved, and his final days were easier because of his family and friends and their love and care. 

Because of Mickey’s love for others and considering the current Covid-19 situation, there will be a Celebration of Mickey’s life with a golf tournament at a later date.  There will be a private graveside service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, cards with memories of Mickey can be sent to 208 Cambridge Lane, Idabel, OK 74745 and memorials can be made to the Idabel Country Club Golf Course, 2301 E Lincoln Rd Idabel, OK 74745 or the McCurtain County Veterans Museum, PO Box 222, Idabel, OK 74745.

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