Leon William Gorney

Leon William Gorney, 85, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Navasota, Texas. Visitation with family and friends will be held Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Nobles Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM at Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Leblanc officiating. Graveside services will follow at Salem Lutheran Cemetery. The family invites everyone to a reception following the burial at the Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel. 

Serving as pallbearers are David Crenshaw, Larry Joe Gerke, Lucas Hughes, Dillon Hughes, Robbie Roese and Mark Shimshack. Named as honorary pallbearers are Josh Sechelski, Larry Farmer, Jimmy Shimshack, Seith Trullinger, Justin Nobles, Jonathan Gerke, Patrick Landgraf and Harley Davis. 

Leon was born on April 9, 1940, in Plantersville, Texas to Louis Gorney and Verna Lebeck Gorney. Leon was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Plantersville, Texas. He later met and married Barbara Gerke on March 14, 1970. He then took adult confirmation classes at Salem Lutheran Church. To this union they had one son, Billy Scott Gorney. Leon was a mechanic by trade, working at the only Ford place in Navasota for 23 years until he opened his own mechanic shop at their home, which operated for 17 years until health issues took over and he decided to retire. 

Outside of being a wrecker driver and a mechanic, he was a true outdoors man, he love hunting, fishing and gardening with his wife Barbara. 

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, son Billy Scott, brothers Stash, Johnny, Joe and Harold and sister Margeret G. Petzolt. 

Leon was a loving and strong man, husband, father and friend. He lived with great values and believed in excellence and determination in commitment to God, family and work. 

Leon is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara; granddaughter Caitlyn D. Sechelski and husband Josh of Navasota; and his two great grandchildren, Millie Sechelski and Cutter Sechelski. Along with sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, cousins and many more he considered family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Salem Ladies at Salem Lutheran Church.