Davenport

Lt. Col (ret.) Leslie “Les” Wayne Davenport, 75, of Rockdale,

passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Round Rock.

He was born on Oct. 21, 1947, to Less Davenport and Juanita Lagrone in Mr. Davenport

Milano.

He graduated from TSTI-TSC with a bachelor’s in technology and then from Southwest Texas with a master’s in management and communications.

On May 29, 1970, he married Sue McNiel in Forest Grove Christian Church in Rockdale.

He faithfully and honorably served in the U.S. Army for 40 years, retiring from the reserves on Oct. 21, 2007. He served in Vietnam with the First Infantry division as a rifleman.

A few assignments he had were being the Commander of Plans in Fort Riley, Kansas, for Operation Desert Storm; commanded C Troop, an armored Calvary Troop for three years; commanded A Troop, an armored Calvary Troop for a year; and assigned to Division Headquarters for a year.

He was awarded several medals and badges, which included two Purple Hearts.

He also worked at Alcoa as a senior manager.

Les coached Little League baseball and Youth League football. He was a Cub Master and Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America.

He was the commander at the American Legion Post 358, the president of the Kay Theater Foundation, vice chairman of the Milam County Republican Party, chairman of Milam County Tea Par ty, a board member of Rockdale Historical Society and I&GN Depot, and a band booster and athletic booster for Rockdale High School.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Lagrone; his father and stepmother, Less and Florence Davenport; and brother, Jerry Davenport.

Les is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue Davenport of Rockdale; a son, Less McNiel and wife Jennifer of Rockdale; two daughters, Maggie Sue Adams and husband Jimmy of Rockdale, Rachel Lynn Gomez and husband Philip of Spring; numerous grandchildren; a great-grandson; a sister, Peggy Masiakowski and husband David of Cedar Park; and three brothers, Doug Davenport of Rockdale, Brian Davenport and wife Karen of Cedar Park, Terry Davenport and wife Karen of San Antonio.

A graveside service was held Monday, July 24, at Forest Grove Cemetery in Rockdale. Visitation was held Sunday, July 23, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.