Leon Smoot

Melton Leon Smoot, 75, of Universal City, Texas passed to Eternal Life April 10, 2020 while hospitalized after open heart surgery. Leon was born August 6, 1944 in Poteet, Texas to Earl and Gladys Smoot. He graduated from Somerset High School in 1962. He was involved in numerous school activities. His FFA achievements included placing in the top three in the state of Texas on his farm skills team. He served as President of his high school graduating class. He played several sports including football, basketball and ran track. He was best remembered by his fellow class members for organizing nighttime rabbit hunts in his dad’s green Dodge pickup. He was sincerely respected by his classmates, teachers and the entire community of Somerset.

After a distinguished career in the Navy, he retired in the grade of Lieutenant. He had five deployments in Vietnam with one being in country where he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. He was a Master Parachutist, Master Diver and Master at Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). He served as an instructor at the EOD School at Indian Head, Maryland where members of all services are trained. His expert knowledge of explosives and bombs, he was routinely called on by the Secret Service to sweep president’s homes and meeting locations. He led the search of surface and underwater explosive and other hazardous devices at the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit. After retiring, he worked for 18 months in the mine sweep project clearing mines placed by Iraqi forces during their occupation of Kuwait. He owned Leon Smoot Electric in Universal City for 21 years. Leon was a member of the United Methodist Church in Universal City since 1987 and a member of the Somerset Masonic Lodge #1205 in Somerset. Leon believed in God, family and country. He aggressively supported charity organizations including the Wounded Warriors, Tunnel 2 Towers and the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Gladys; sister Johnnie May Williams; and brother Phillip Smoot. He is survived by his wife, Carol Pipes Smoot; daughter Erin Smoot of San Antonio; son Randy Smoot & wife Cynthia; grandson Jackson Smoot of Dallas; sister June England & husband W.S. of Comfort; brothers Norman Smoot, and Max Smoot & wife Sandra of San Antonio.

A Memorial Celebration of Life and Military Honors will be held at a later date due to the social distancing in effect. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project , Shriners Hospitals for Children , Tunnel 2 Towers or charity of your choice.

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