Benencio Leyja

Benencio "Benny" Leyja went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 3, 2015. He passed away at his home in Elk City, Oklahoma, at the age of 68 years, two months and 30 days. He was born January 4, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Pablo R. and Maria B. (Castillo) Leyja. He moved from Corpus in 1954 to Frederick, Oklahoma. He attended Emerson grade school and later attended the Job Corp. He entered the United States Marine Corps on January 2, 1968, at Little Rock, Arkansas. He served honorably and was discharged as a Corporal on April 4, 1970. Awards he received for his service to country include: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device. In addition to his active duty military service, Benny served an additional three years in the Reserves. He was united in marriage to Gloria Longoria on March 28, 1970, at Vernon, Texas. He moved to Tipton in 1975. He worked as a factory worker at Central Leather Goods in Frederick and then at Bar S in Altus. He moved from Tipton to Elk City in 1998. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, Barbequing and working on his flowers. He loved to watch his kids play sports and he was a huge Dallas Cowboys football fan as well as an avid Oklahoma "Boomer Sooner" Football fan. He always gave to people in need. He was a Catholic. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughters: Michelle Leyja and Ann Leyja; brothers: Chris and Fernando Leyja; and sisters: Janie and Rosa. Survivors include his wife: Gloria, of the home in Elk City; his children: Benny Troy Leyja and wife Julia, of Altus, Oklahoma, Missy Leyja and Bruce Crowder, of Tipton, Oklahoma, John Paul Leyja and Belinda, of Elk City, Oklahoma, Robert Leyja, of Elk City, Oklahoma, and Mary Featheringham and husband Thomas, of Houston, Texas; brothers and sisters: Paul Leyja and wife Vicki, of Lawton, Oklahoma, Jose Leyja and wife Lydia, Lodge, South Carolina, Isabel Ramirez, Frederick, Oklahoma, Maggie Rea and husband Froilan, of Frederick, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Antonio, Haley, Caleb, J.T., Brayden, Dominik, Nate, Kristen, Hailey, Delaney, Jessica and Chance; great grandchildren: McKenlyn, Juana, Anthony, Elisaj, Ryan, Aiyana, Gilbert, Antwone and Deeanna; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Orr Gray Gish Funeral Home 111 N. 11th Street Frederick, OK 73542 (580) 335-2112 Tipton Funeral Home 220 E. Main Tipton, OK 73570 (580) 667-5241