Leon Issac Crabtree

Leon Issac Crabtree was born January 2, 1925 in Wagoner, Oklahoma to Matt Crabtree and May Luviana Crabtree. He moved with his family at an early age to Hominy and attended Paxton School.

Upon completion of his education, Leon was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army in World War II. Upon his honorable discharge, Leon returned to Osage County and began working as a rancher. He later utilized his fencing skills building fences and gates on pipelines throughout the Midwest.

He was united in marriage to Grace Big Elk in 1956 at Hominy, Oklahoma. The couple made their home together on the 101 Ranch near Ralston in Osage County. Grace preceded him in death on October 22, 1976 after twenty years of marriage.

In addition to raising cattle and horses, Leon at one time had a herd of nearly 1500 Alpacas and also raised ostriches at one time. He continued to run his ranch until for health reasons was forced to retire in 2003. He then resided for a short time with his brother in Arizona and was residing at the Fairfax Manor Nursing Home at the time of his death on May 9, 2006. In addition to his wife, Leon was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Melvin Crabtree and Brixie Crabtree; and two sisters, Mary Christine Crabtree and Arlie Mantooth.

He is survived by two brothers, Jim J. Crabtree, Wickenburg, Arizona and Matt Crabtree, Glide, Oregon; two sisters, Rebecca Taliaferro, Vista, California and Justine Duncan, Renton, Washington; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland with Jim Crabtree officiating. Burial will be at the A. J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Leon Crabtree at www.chapman-black.com.