Leon Bernsen Jr.

Leon Ralph Bernsen Jr., age 67, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on February 6, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. Leon was raised in Violet, Texas and attended St. Theresa's Catholic School through the 8th grade. While farming alongside his father, Leon participated in 4-H and showed steers in the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show. He graduated from Tuloso Midway High School where he was an All-District Basketball player, State record-holder in hurdles and track, and a Varsity football player. Leon turned down scholarships to play football at the University of Notre Dame and Texas A&M College Station and instead chose to play at Texas A&I Kingsville while waiting for his sweetheart, Sue Wylie, to finish high school. Leon and Sue both received bachelor's degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and were married in 1970. Leon's greatest joys in life included traveling across Texas while helping his three children with their Grand Champion 4-H steer projects, attending his grandchildren's high school basketball games, gardening with his wife, and cooking for his family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time in New Orleans and Port Aransas. His career spanned many successful years of farming, ranching, and related industry. His final endeavors included building custom homes alongside his son in Port Aransas, Texas. His loving mother, Anna Marie Bernsen, precedes Leon Jr. in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Sue Wylie Bernsen of Robstown, Texas; his three children, Lynn Bernsen Allison, Lea Bernsen Brown and Leon Garrick Bernsen; his two grandchildren, Sydney Brooke Allison and Trevor Bond Allison (Lynn and Douglas), all of Corpus Christi, Texas; his father, Leon Ralph Bernsen, Sr. of Robstown, Texas; and his sister, Dianna Bernsen of Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Refuge of Hope; A Pregnancy Resource Center; 4035 Violet Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410 (361) 241-5300. Visitation will be Friday, February 10th , from 10-11 a.m. with services immediately following at 11 a.m. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel, 12497 Leopard Street. Burial will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Violet, Texas. Lunch will be provided by the family at Violet Hall.