Richard Bateman

Rockport, Texas

Richard Leon Bateman, 84, born March 22, 1934 passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on January 25, 2019.

Preceding Leon in death were his mother and father, Rebecca and Lee Bateman; five sisters: Irene, Carlene, Virginia, Margie and Patsy; and his brother, Buddy Bateman.

Surviving Leon is the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Claudia Domengeaux- Bateman. He is also survived by his three children: Becky Hoffman, Pam Boerst and Shawn Bateman and wife, Lori; his three grandchildren: Travis Blackburn and wife, Taylor, Kelsey Blackburn and Carly Boerst. He has one great-granddaughter, Sarah Blackburn. Leon has one surviving sister, Jenice Pruitt and husband, Thomas; brother in law, Bill Bush, brother in law and wife, Lionel and Linda Domengeaux; sister in law and husband, Sandy and John Jewett; step-mother in law, Jewell Domengeaux; many loving nieces and nephews, and a special nephew, Jeremy Bateman.

Leon started his life's journey in Oklahoma City, OK but moved to Rockport with his family in his early childhood. Throughout his high school years Leon excelled in sports. In basketball he held the highest scoring record for over a decade, earning two scholarship offers. In football he was unanimously recognized as All-District Player of the year and played for both Texas A&I in Kingsville and Texas A&M at College Station.

Leon and Claudia married in 1956, but shortly afterwards he was drafted into the Army, so the two of them moved to Germany where they traveled extensively throughout Europe, creating many lifelong memories. After his honorable discharge they moved back home and settled into their family life.

Leon was active throughout his life, from competitive tennis, serving as the Tennis Association President, to annual ski trips, camping throughout Texas, tubing on the Frio, fishing and hunting for duck, deer, and elk, and many other hobbies. He worked at a variety of occupations: rough necking, ship building at RYSCO, owning and operating a shrimp boat, home construction and business owner.

Leon served on the Aransas County Navigation Board for several years. He was also appointed by the governor to sit on The Shrimp Advisory Committee for the State of Texas in 1989. Leon often said that he grew up in Aransas County during the best of times. As a
boy he could roam over land and water, fishing, swimming, and hunting for rabbit, ducks, or raccoons with Mr. Mundine and his coon dogs. Very little was fenced in those days, making it the perfect time and place for a boy who loved adventure. A boy could earn a little spending money "heading" shrimp, decking on a shrimp boat, or rowing a boat full of duck hunters all day long for a mere five dollars, cleaning the ducks afterwards in hopes of a tip.

He never wanted to live anyplace else.

A memorial service conducted by Pastor Kevin Muilenburg will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Coastal Oaks Church in Rockport.

Service