Leon Arthur Council

AURORA – Leon A. Council, 87, died on December 20, 2021, at the Veterans Community Living Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Leon was born August 25, 1934, in Chattanooga Tennessee, the son of Arthur Council and Matilda Hunt.

Leon's nickname growing up was Tank because as he said in his own words, "I have a big head". Many people described him as the life of the party, a social butterfly, easy going, generous (he loved sharing anything and everything with everyone), hilarious (he was known for being a jokester), and someone always willing to help. He never met a stranger. He had high regard for the English language and was known to correct others grammar and to edit documents for anyone in need.

As a young boy, Leon treasured time spent outside playing baseball with his neighbors, going to the movie theater, and reading comic books. He was a mischievous child! For instance, at the age of eight, he ran away from home and hid in the courthouse yard for two weeks; during those two weeks, he watched his sister and mother walk by searching for him as he hid in the bushes. He funded his adventure by dancing for people in the streets for coins. He used the money he earned to pay for admission into the all-day movie theater, where he stayed all day eating popcorn and candy. He had odd jobs as a child; he earned a dollar a week delivering groceries, did yard work for his "stingy" teacher who paid him 50 cents, and helped his mother in the Chinese laundry. He was also known for his beautiful handwriting and would copy homework papers for 5 cents.

When talking about his wife, Leon said, "I met my wife Lula when she moved into my neighborhood. She was thirteen and I was twelve. She was curious about the people, and we spoke to each other. She found out that I was an outgoing person. I would tease Lula and laugh at her. I would pull her pigtails. Lula would get so aggravated." Leon was funny even as a kid!

When talking about Leon, his wife, Lula, said, "I thank God for sending Lee into my life. He was a model husband and he spoiled me throughout our marriage. Everyone loved Lee! He was always making people laugh and he did a lot of laughing himself."

Leon enlisted in the USAF on January 1, 1951, at the age of sixteen. He wrote letters to Lula every day. He asked her to marry him in one of his letters. When she said yes, he asked for her ring size and bought her a ring for $101. Leon and Lula were married on April 5, 1952 in Rossville, Georgia. They were happily married for 69 years and blessed with three children: David, Vicki, and Deana.

As an adult, Leon enjoyed ballroom dancing, bowling, tennis, baking (some of his favorite foods to bake were cinnamon rolls, waffles, cookies, and fudge), cooking (some of his favorite foods to cook were egg rolls, corn bread, and Celanese rice), playing the piano, hosting, going to parties, and playing games (unsurprisingly, he almost always trounced the competition). He got a kick out of soap operas (his favorite was All My Children), Jeopardy, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and playing bingo. He auditioned for and became a contestant on Wheel of Fortune winning $31,000.

While on active duty he served as an administrative clerk and First Sergeant. As a clerk he learned to write shorthand and type at an amazing speed of ninety-five words per minute. He also managed the disposition of the highest level of classified military documents. In addition, he was an eight-time recipient of the triennial "Good Conduct Medal". After twenty-six years of faithful service, he retired as a Master Sergeant on January 1, 1977. After retirement, he began working in a law office as a paralegal and retired for the second time in 1988. Following retirement, he volunteered for five years teaching English as a second language to Spanish-speaking people. He was a religious education teacher for fifth and sixth graders for 20 years. He valued his jobs and was loyal, dedicated and organized.

As patriarch of the extended family, Leon was a resource to anyone in need. For instance, he was sought-after by family and friends for advice on a variety of subjects whether legal, spiritual, or financial. Many times, he was asked to review a paper, resume, or even a Christmas letter for correct spelling and proper grammar. He could spell practically anything correctly. His favorite motto was "Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best."

Leon was a devout Catholic who attended daily Mass and was a parishioner at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Aurora Colorado. He would reminisce saying, "As a child, my mother made sure I went to church every Sunday". The verse that blessed Leon most is John 3:17: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him." From time to time he would affirm the passage aloud saying, "I wish to pattern myself after this verse and try not to prejudge people." He was a doting husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved spending quality time with his family, especially during the holidays. When the family gathered, he made sure that there was an abundance of gameplay, food to eat, and laughter.

Leon was preceded in death by his mother, Matilda Hunt; father, Arthur Council; sisters, and brothers. Leon is survived by his wife, Lula Council, of Aurora Colorado; his son, David Council, of Denver Colorado; his daughter, Vicki Council, of Denver Colorado; and his daughter, Deana Domsten (married to Toby Domsten), of Aurora Colorado. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Sarah Love of Champaign, Illinois; Kyriaki Council (married to Jack Falk) of Denver, Colorado; Lula Bess (married to Kevin Bess) of Aurora, Colorado; Leon Council II of Aurora, Colorado; Taylor Domsten of Aurora, Colorado; Lindsey Domsten of Aurora, Colorado; and Marisol Council of Denver, Colorado.