I was born July 2, 1928 in Mishawaka, Indiana, the first son of Fred G. and Barbara (Dallas) Leon. At the age of 3 months, my parents moved to Harlingen, Texas. While on a family outing on Memorial Day weekend in 1930 my younger brother Jack was born. In July 1935 my mother married Dr. Chas. L. Andrus, a pioneer Chiropractor. He graduated from Carver Chiropractic College in 1906. Immediately prior to the wedding; we moved to Kingsville, Texas where Dr. Andrus set up practice. In October 1936 my sister Mary was born.
I attended public school in Kingsville and graduated from High School in 1946. In September of 1946 I entered the U.S. Air Force and served three years as a Musician in the 661st Airfare Band in Dayton, Ohio. In March of 1947 my stepfather Dr. Chas. Andrus passed away. The stories that he told about chiropractic and the discussions that were held with other chiropractors that I had the privilege to listen to, plus being raised with chiropractic care made an indelible impression upon me.
While in the service, I became extremely ill twice plus was involved in a sports related injury and I realized while I was in the hospital and observed all the patients that I came to know, that there had to be more to health care than just medicine, drugs, and surgery. These experiences plus my family life was the deciding factor to study Chiropractic.
My uncle, Dr. Francis Dallas of Castroville, Texas had already enrolled in Texas Chiropractic College in the fall of 1946. I entered T.C.C. in the fall of 1949 and graduated in December 1951. I attended Texas A&I University and San Antonio College where I received an Associates of Arts Degree in order to fulfill the Basic Science Requirements. I received my license in December 1953. I returned to Kingsville in July of 1954 and opened my office in September of 1954 and have been in continuous practice ever since.
On May 30, 1953 I married Nora Jean Smith in San Antonio, Texas. We have been blessed with 5 daughters and 2 sons and presently 3 grandsons and 5 granddaughters.
I joined T.C.A. in 1955 and have attempted to be an active participating member not only on the State level but also on District and local level. I have served all offices on the District level numerous times, plus numerous district committees. I have served on numerous state committees and was chairman of the Membership committee for 2 years. I am presently finishing my thirteenth year as State Director and have resigned to accept the Department Head of Governmental Affairs. I have been honored by District Twelve twice as Doctor of the Year. I am also a member of the Texas Chiropractic College Alumni Association, and had the privilege and honor of being named Alumnus of the Year in 1987, an honor that is greatly appreciated. I became a member of the American Chiropractic Association in 1986.
Since 1955 I have been active in serving my community, and my church. I have been a member of the Kingsville Noon Lions Club since 1955 and have held numerous offices and am a past President. I have been honored twice by the Club as Outstanding Lion of the Year. I have been a member or St. Gertrude Council R3389 of Knights of Columbus since 1955 and have also held numerous offices, plus been Grand Knight for 2 years and also been named Knight of the Year. I am a Charter Member of the Kingsville General A of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and Past Faithful Navigator. I have been a volunteer scouter since 1955 and I am still a Scoutmaster of Troop 186. My sons, Fred and Charles, both attained the rank of Eagle. I have been honored by the Boy Scouts of America by being awarded the Silver Beaver and the Silver Paisano Awards for fostering and participating in International Scouting. I have been honored by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting by being awarded the St. George Award and the Bronze Pelican Award. I am a member of St. Gertrude Catholic Parish and have been since 1935. I helped organized the St. Gertrude School Board and was a member of the board for 10 years, serving as President for 9 years. I was also a Charter Member of the Corpus Christi Diocesan School Board serving 3 years in that capacity as Vice-president and President.
All that I have accomplished and all of the awards that have been presented to me could not have been made possible without the love and sacrifice and encouragement of my wife, Nora and of course, my children.
Chiropractic is a special and wonderful Healing Art and a way of life and I am proud to be a part of the profession. I am humbly honored and extremely grateful to the Keeler Plaque Committee to have been named Keeler Plaque Recipient for 1988.
