Milford Leon

Milford Leon Tea was born December 5, 1924, the second son of George Washington Tea and Clara Mae-Ann Buttel Tea, near Sherman, Major County, Oklahoma. He received his education at Del Plain Elementary and Waynoka (OK) High School, dropping out after his sophomore year, later getting his GED and attending Eastern New Mexico University. His brother, Charles Richard Tea, was stillborn, so Milford as the eldest son had many farm responsibilities. His parents employed Lewis George, a member of the Cherokee Tribe and Mel learned much from this man. On February 22, 1928, his brother Virden Francis Tea was born and they were joined by another boy, Marvin Leroy Tea on Sept. 10, 1936. Milford, as a boy, worked for his maternal grandparents, Frederick William Buttel and Rosa Lavina Shook Buttel. When World War II started he was doing all of his father's farming and was deferred entering the U.S. Army, where he then served with the 123rd Quartermaster Bakery Company as a Staff Sergeant, spending most of his two year tour in the South Pacific on Guam. He used the GI Bill to learn the carpentry trade where he worked for Gerald McCray Consturction. They built homes including cabinets and finish work. He and Mona Lou Callaway were married at Alva, OK on June 5, 1948. Their children are Mildford Randall, Robin LaVerne and Melinda Lou. Milford was employed by the AT & SF Railway and part time for Webb Electric, his interest being sparked in household appliance sales, delivery and repair. When the railway laid off in March 1953, he was employed by the Kitchen Mart in Guymon, OK. Mona and the children joined him by the end of April. They lived in Guymon until August 1965 when they moved to Santa Fe, NM. In Santa Fe he was employed by the Maytag Shop and he continued working in household appliance delivery and servicing. Mel became a teacher at Northern New Mexico Vocational and Technical School. In August 1973 he joined the staff at Eastern New University - Roswell retiring in December 1985. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Clara Tea; his brothers, Charles Frederick and Marvin Leroy; his parents-in-law, John and Estella Lockhart Callaway. To treasure his life and memories are his his sons, Randall and wife, Lorraine of American Fork, Utah; Robin and wife, Donna of Bountiful, Utah and his daughter, Melinda King of Murfreesboro TN (Roy Dan King of Cloudcroft, NM). He is survived by nine grandsons and four granddaughters: Kevin Don (Sidney), Jody Randall (Phoebe), Cameron Austin (Susan), Geren Bryce (Megan), Jonathan William (Megan), Richard LaVerne (Janeen) and Michael Leon (Julie) Tea, Jon Rodrick and Jordan Roy King, Kristen Monique Tea Updahl (Tom), Destiny Summer Tea Williams (Chad), Brittany Marche Tea Zeph (Peter) and Kelly Elizabeth King Manwill (Chris). There are 34 great grandchildren: Aaron, Victoria, Dorothy, Tyler, Kailee, Asia, Shaye, Kalei, Adam, Ellie, August, Quincy and Mayah Tea; Kolton, Tanner, Cambrie, Jacey and Samuel Updahl; Logan, Autumn, Sicily, Sage and Easton Williams; Berkley, William, Issac, Emalyn Zeph; Stacey, Brooke, Kaylah and C.J. Manwill. He is also survived by his brother, Virden F. Tea and his wife Ann Callaway Tea of Clovis, NM; their son, Johnnie Tea, Salt Lake City, UT and their daughter, Feryl Tea Smith and spouse Wayne of San Angelo, TX. Nieces Kima Lea Tea and Kay Callaway Kincaid; nephews Paul Tea and Dr. Vemon Powders as well as many other relatives and friends. Mel belonged to the BPOE Elks for over 50 years and belonged to the Christian Church. He bowled for several years as well as squared danced. He enjoyed teaching and made many student friends. He and Mona spent several years doing genealogy research rv'ing to visit relatives and friends. After retirement they participated in arts and crafts shows where he displayed and sold wood crafts. In the 1990's they became interested in antiques - he particularly in tools and items used by ancestors. Mona said if it was iron and heavy, Mel collected it. Mel was a beloved companion over 61 years, a loved grandpa for 38 years and held in high regard by his great grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Family memorial services will be held at a later date. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home & Crematory.

Milford Leon

December 5, 1924 - October 20, 2009