Ltc. Jimmy (Ret.) Leggett

LTC (Ret.) Jimmy Wayne Leggett, 73, of Hubbard passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 4, 2016, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Director’s Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Jay Dodd officiating. A private family committal service will be held at a later date at Houston National Cemetery.

Jimmy was born on June 25, 1943, in Lamb County, Texas. He was adopted by Hattie and Kirby Leggett of West Memphis, AR. A graduate of West Memphis High School, he also attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR.

On January 6, 1966, he and Barbara “Judy” Ferguson were united in marriage in West Memphis. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and, after graduating from officer candidate school, served as an officer in Viet Nam. During his service there, he was awarded the bronze star, two awards of the purple heart, the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry issued by the South Vietnamese government, and also earned the combat infantry badge and other numerous awards. After his active duty, he joined the Texas Army National Guard and was retired Lieutenant Colonel. While serving in the Guard, he was named an Admiral of the Texas Navy by the Texas legislature and presented the Texas Admiral Award by the Governor of Texas for outstanding service to the State of Texas.

Following his military service, he embarked on a second career in the marine industry. For more than 30 years, he served as a towboat captain. He had retired from Kirby Inland Marine and was employed with Genesis Marine at the time of his passing. He trained many mariners and was a designated Coast Guard Examiner.

Jimmy also designed, created and founded Barway Charting and Publishing, producing maps of inland waterways. Many of his chart innovations have become industry standards.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; three children, Loy Assell and husband, Dan, of Piqua, OH, Kirby Leggett and wife, Christine, of Liberty Hill, and Tracy Mills and husband, Adam, of Cypress; two brothers, Jay Dodd and wife, Brenda, of Bentonville, AR and Robert Gibson of Lake Charles, LA; 8 grandchildren, Kirby II, Brittany, Jacob, Ethan, Gavin, Douglas, Samuel, and Cherie; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project; 2200 Space Park Drive - Suite 100; Houston, TX 77058.

Memorial Service

2:00 PM ,Thursday, September 8, 2016
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX, Hill 76645