Leonard Charles Westra, Sr., age 82, of Lohn, Texas, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026, of congestive heart failure at his residence in Lohn. Leonard was born on May 30, 1943, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to Leonard Westra and Alma Jeanne (Gunneman) Westra. He grew up in Coopersville, Michigan and was a proud graduate of Coopersville High School in 1961. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in July of 1961 and served his country in uniform until July 31, 1987, retiring at the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Upon retirement, he began working for the Internal Revenue Service as a Tax Examiner from August 1897 until January 31, 1999, when he retired once again. He resided in Austin, Texas from January of 1983 until February of 1999, when he and his wife Janice moved to their small ranch in Lohn, Texas. He married his childhood sweetheart, Janice K. Cook, on February 21, 1962, at USMC Base, Camp Pendleton, California. They lived in many places over the following 26 years, as the Corps took them from one duty station to another.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife Janice, photography, hunting, taking caribou, elk, antelope, turkey, and many deer over the years. He was particularly fond of the annual fishing trips each spring to Lake Buchanan, visiting with his family and catching white bass.
He was a member of the Lohn Church of Christ and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3234 in Brady. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and a member of the American Legion and served as Post Commander of Post 510 in Mercury, Texas from 2003 to 2006. He was a past member of the McCulloch County Crime Stoppers and past President of the Lohn Valley Improvement Association.
Leonard is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janice, of Lohn, Texas; son Leonard Westra, Jr. of Lohn, Texas; daughter Christine Ward of Montague, Michigan; brother Robert Larkin of Whitehall, Michigan; sister Linda Timmons of Belleveue, Michigan; six grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, and his son Ronald Westra on May 2, 2023. Memorial contributions in memory of Leonard Charles Westra, Sr. may be made to the American Heart Association.
There are no services scheduled for Leonard Westra at this time. Friends may view and/or sign Leonard’s online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com. Burial of Leonard’s cremated remains will be at a later date in Coopersville Cemetery in Coopersville, Michigan. Throop Funeral Home of Coopersville will be in charge of arrangements.
