James Leland Ohlhausen

James Leland Ohlhausen, 72, of Abilene, passed away Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at a local care center. A service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Monday, December 6th, 2010 at Minter Lane Church of Christ with a burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be held Sunday from 3-5 pm at Piersall Benton Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Leland was born August 12, 1938 in Abilene to Lester and Dorothy Ohlhausen. Their family moved to Ballinger when Leland was just two years old. He graduated from Ballinger High School in 1957. After graduation Leland returned to Abilene to attend Abilene Christian College, where he majored in mass communications and worked as a disc jockey at the KACC radio station. After leaving college, he worked in radio for a few years before moving to the then-new field of television.
Leland was a pioneer of Abilene television. In the course of his career, he worked as an engineer for all three local television stations and was the chief engineer for KTAB and KTXS.
He met Gale Green in 1962 while she was a student at ACC and they were married October 27, 1963. They moved to Abilene shortly thereafter and raised their four children there.

Leland was a member of Minter Lane Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon for over 40 years. He was an active amateur radio operator for many years. He also enjoyed camping, boating, and model railroading.

Surviving Leland are his wife, Gale Green Ohlhausen of Abilene; two sons, Tony Ohlhausen of Albuquerque (and wife Robin) and Gaylan Ohlhausen of Abilene; two daughters, LaNelle Ohlhausen of Fort Worth and Kristina Cooke of Abilene; one sister, Norma Hadley of Cleburne (and husband Shultz). In addition, he is survived by his beloved grandchildren Aaron, Alissa, Micah, Isabelle, and Isaac, as well as several extended family members and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a son, John Lowell Ohlhausen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Leland to Meals on Wheels, 717 North 10th Street, 79601, or Christian Service Center, 901 Mesquite Street, 79601. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.