Ralph Douglas Leggett, 86, passed away on Thursday, April 15, at his home in Anahuac, Texas. He was born on July 13, 1923 in Goliad, Texas, to Otis L. and Mary Jane (Shaw) Leggett. After graduating from Yorktown High School, he served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater during World War II. Upon returning from war, he attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, where he was a member of the Aggie Club and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After school, he worked for Tennessee Gas before entering the ranching business in Brackettville, Texas, in 1951. He moved to Anahuac in 1956, and managed H&G Ranches until 1980; he has owned and operated Leggett Ranches and East Bay Hunting Lodge since then. He was a board member of Pine Island School, Trinity Bay Conservation District, and Anahuac National Bank. A loving father, grandfather, brother and husband, he was a member of Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Anahuac and the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. Ralph had a smile, a handshake, and kind word for everyone he met. He loved flying, hunting, cards and dominoes, football, horse racing, motor sports, and relished time spent with his family above all.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Christine Craft Leggett, his grandson, Jesse Dee Leggett II, sisters Dorothy Kirkwood, Blanche Goldsum, and Lorna Reese, and brother Raymond Leggett. He is survived by son Ralph Douglas Leggett II of Normangee; son Jesse Dee Leggett and wife Jan of Anahuac; daughter D'Ann and husband Tom Laskowski of Austin; and daughter Dawn and husband Col. Bryan Fenton of Alexandria, Virginia; grandchildren Jennifer, Jamie, and Justin Leggett; Julia, Emily, Thomas, and Chris Anne Laskowski; Nora and Cecilia Fenton; and sisters Grace Gips, Billie Jo Wagner and husband Bob of Cuero, and Lois Fischer and husband Charles of Victoria; loving nieces, nephews and their families, and many dear friends all over Texas.

A Memorial mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 20, at Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Anahuac at 4 p.m., preceded by Rosary at 3:30 p.m. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 22, at St. George Catholic Church in George West, Texas, at 1 p.m. Graveside to follow at Gussettville Cemetery, under the direction of Freund Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville or the Chambers County Youth Project Show.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.