Francis Leo Thompson

April 21, 1925 - December 19, 2011

Francis Leo Thompson, 86, of Nederland, Texas passed away on Monday, December 19, 2011 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas. He was born on April 21, 1925 to Hattie Logsdon Thompson and Odie Thompson in Dog Creek, Kentucky. Leo lived in the Port Arthur and Nederland area for 55 years. He served in the U. S. Army and then spent 22 years serving in the Merchant Marines. Leo was the former owner and operator of Leo's 7-11, Highway 69 and Spurlock road for over 30 years. He was a very successful businessman who owned several establishments over the years including the Lions Den Private Club, and was granted the first liquor by the drink permit since prohibition on June 21, 1971 by the State of Texas. He also owned a 111- acre quarter horse ranch in Kirbyville that had 36 horses, one of the horses, Drop of Moon, a 2 year old, won the Firecracker Fertility at Delta Downs. He also developed Lowe' Creek Park Marina on Toledo Bend. Leo was highly honored to be commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Wendell Ford in 1972. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Hurley Thompson and his loving wife of 50 years, Agnes Thompson. He is survived by his daughters, Pat Miller of Nederland, Texas, Ruby Thompson of Nederland, Texas, Sharon "Sassy" Grodotzke and husband Tom of Nederland, Texas, his son, August "Buzzy" Ienna and wife Deborah of Port Arthur, Texas, 15 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren along with his sister, Laurie Thompson and brother, Russell Thompson both of Louisville, Kentucky, several nieces and nephews.