Leon BattlesApril 12, 1936 - October 31, 2017PixleyLeon Battles, 81, of Pixley, died on October 31, 2017 in Visalia at Kaweah Delta Hospital, after suffering a heart attack.Leon was born on April 12, 1936 to Myrtle and Gordon Battles in San Angelo, Texas. The family soon moved to California where he grew up in the Pixley area. Leon went to grammar school in Pixley and graduated from high school in Delano, CA. He met & married Permelia (Pam) Harris June 7, 1956 and started a family. Leon soon went to work for the Pixley Ford Garage as a mechanic. He stayed there until he branched out on his own with a gas station service and "Mechanic on Duty." In 1970 Leon bought the Shell Service Station, where he worked and ran the business for a few years.But Leon's real passion was fishing and I do mean fishing of any kind! His dream was to become a Bass Pro fisherman. As Leon continued to fish, his family was growing too. He also enjoyed hunting and gardening. He was known for his prize winning tomatoes. He loved giving them away for others to enjoy. In Leon's later years, he was a newspaper carrier for at least 10 years. He combined his love of gardening with his work and was known for sharing his gardening bounty with customers, while pursing his passion for yard sales too. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon & Myrtle Battles; big brother Woodrow King; sisters: Donnie King, Maxine Battles and Winnie Pace. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Permelia "Pam", sister, Mildred Pace; daughter, Melonie (Dave); sons: Michael (Tami) and Bitsy (Michelle); 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren were his great love. So, this is goodbye for now, my love. We will see you again Daddy. We love you so much Paw Paw.Graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2017, 1:00PM at Tipton-Pixley Cemetery. No reception to follow. Services are entrusted to Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Home, Tulare.