Thomas Leon Nesmith

Thomas Leon NeSmith, 87 of Abilene, passed away on Friday, April 23rd, 2021 at the Hendrick Hospice Care Center.  A service honoring his life will be held Tuesday, April 27th at 10:00 am in the Chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. with a graveside to follow in Zephyr.  A visitation will be held Monday evening from 5-7 pm at the funeral home.

Leon was born on February 13, 1934 in Zephyr, Texas to Port and Nannie NeSmith.  He entered into the Army in 1958 and honorably served his country for four years.  Leon spent most of his career as the owner of Complete Auto Supply and C & S Automotive.  Leon was married to Renna Geneva Griffin for nearly 27 years and they had one daughter Cindy.  Although they eventually divorced, their friendship remained.

During the last several years, Leon was involved in raising money for the ECCA volunteer fire department by cooking food with “The Wild Bunch”.  He truly enjoyed the friends he made while helping out with a good cause.

Surviving Leon is his daughter Cindy DeHerrera and husband Fred and granddaughter Leslie Tran and her husband Michael, Ardella Watson Pace and her husband Jay who was like a second daughter to Leon, David Griffin who was like a son to Leon and was always there with an extra pair of hands to help him, as well as other extended family members and close friends.  Preceding him in death are his parents, brothers, Bill and Wayne NeSmith, former wife and friend, Renna Geneva Griffin and long-time companion Judy DeShazo.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Fran Martinez who provided extraordinary care and friendship to Leon.