Leon Moles

John Leon Moles, 92, peacefully went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.  He was born February 26, 1930 and grew up in the mountains of Anderson County, Tennessee.  Leon joined the Army during the Korean War where he was an explosives specialist in Co.B, 199th Engineers Combat Battallion, 6th Armored Division at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.  He was proud to have been chosen to represent the honor guard during his time in service.  Afterwards, he settled in Dayton where he and his brothers formed “Moles Bros. Paint and Decorating Company”.  They finished many of the large downtown office buildings during the building boom of the 1960 - 70’s, the Dayton and Salem Malls, as well as several new housing developments and multiple projects at WPAFB. 

Growing up during the depression era, Leon had no formal schooling to speak of, but was self-taught and quite the communicator in many areas.  He loved to strike up a conversation with anyone he met, and frequently did so.  He could (and usually would) keep you for quite some time with stories about the tough times growing up in Tennessee, hair-raising adventures of his teen and early adult years and myriad skills he learned in jobs held before finally settling down into the Paint & Finishing trades.  The favorite stories that he never failed to tell were of ghosts and rattling chains; phantom rocking chairs and panthers that screamed in the dark. All first-hand experiences, the details never changed over all the years.

Drawing and painting came naturally to Leon, and he was very proud to have finished an art class in the early 60’s that enabled him to produce some fine pieces over the years.  Gardening and planting trees and was a joy for him; his gardens never failed to be lush and productive.  Having taught himself to read, he studied the Bible and could pull out a parable for just about any topic that presented itself.   He loved cars, and in his younger days could tear one down and rebuild it back to running order if need be.  In his later years, he collected MANY models of all the ones that he had owned, and the ones that he wished that he had.  He was a big country music fan and also loved Elvis.  He was an old movie buff and could name just about any actor and their movies, especially if it was Erol Flynn or any of the big female stars of the era. 

He was the fourth son of Janie Sayne Moles and Jesse James Moles.  They preceded him in death along with his brothers James Jr., Kenneth, Charles, Carl and sisters Mary Lucy Moles Howard and Juanita Moles Harris, Step mother Miriam McGlothin Moles and step brothers Michael and Robert.  He is survived by his step brothers Jesse and Arnold Moles and two step sisters Melba Moles Schoenleben and Esther Moles Queener.  He is also survived by his wife of 69 years, Nancy Louanna Moles and daughters Patti Moles Wilson (Jeff) and Sheila Jane Moles Lyons (Michael).  Grandkids Tina Wilson Bachus (Ian) & Alice Wilson Mackey (Andrew), Stephanie Lyons Newsom (Austin) & Benjamin Lyons (Alexis) Great grands Tony, Simon, Samuel, Nathaniel, Madilynn, Mackenzie & Abigail.  

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia with Rev. Michael Malcosky officiating.   The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 pm until time of service. 

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