George Robert Leigh of Denton, Texas transitioned to Heaven in the early morning of November 17, 2019 at the age of 71, surrounded by his loving wife and children following a valiant battle with heart disease. George often boasted how he loved his life and fought for more time with us down to his last moments but left us with a smile and at peace. George was born on January 28, 1948, to Alvin Lawrence Leigh and Mary (Bost) Leigh in McKinney, Texas. He attended Prosper High School where he played football and graduated as valedictorian. George went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of North Texas in 1970 where he was a proud member of Phi Kappa Sigma. George owned and operated Leigh Plastic coating in Odessa, Texas for several years and was an extremely hard working and dedicated employee of Mahard Egg Farm for a combined total of forty years. He was looking forward to retiring this week and excited to continue his adventures exploring exotic destinations with his wife and adventure partner, Pam. George enjoyed nature, science, traveling the coast, exploring remote destinations, winning at blackjack, key-lime pie and the occasional rum and coke. He especially loved playing Monopoly with his grandkids and cruising with Pam. George cherished every animal he encountered. He had a zest for life and dreamed of prospecting for gold in his favorite place on earth, Alaska. George loved the holidays, was extremely generous and sought out the most thoughtful hand-picked gifts for his family. He was a proud master chocolate chip cookie baker and homemade mac and cheese maker and loved nothing more than sharing. George was a loving and proud husband, father and grandfather. It is safe to say he was a family favorite and the glue of the Leigh Family.
George is survived by his devoted wife, Pamela Ann Skelton of Denton, Texas; daughter, Jessica Leigh of New York City, New York; son, Spencer Leigh and wife, Cassie of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Grant, Austin and Jake Leigh; as well as, his beloved pets, Bitsy and Molly; along with numerous loving family and longtime friends.
George, the youngest of five siblings was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Mary Leigh; sisters, Helen Mahard, Mary Sue Egan, Patsy Willis; and brother, John Leigh.
A memorial service to celebrate George’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at the funeral home.
The family would like to especially thank the exceptional doctors and nurses at Denton Presbyterian and Dallas Presbyterian Hospital for their tremendous compassion, effort and expertise.