Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


   Obituary for Leslie Reid Bonner
        (October 18, 1935-January 31, 2015)
        
   A pending memorial service for Leslie R. Bonner, 79,of Bullard, Texas, will be 
held at the Emerald Bay Community Church, 160 LaSalle, Bullard, TX 75757 with Dr. 
Darryle Dunks and The Reverend Patrick McCoy officiating. The graveside service 
will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bonner Cemetery in 
Steward’s Mill. Mr. Bonner passed away with Parkinson’s Disease on January 31, 
2015 in Tyler, TX.
   Leslie was born in Dallas, Texas on October 18, 1935 to Dr. Leslie L. Bonner 
and Catherine Grace Green Bonner. Leslie’s father was an intern at that time at 
Baylor University College of Medicine. Dr. Bonner’s family returned to Fairfield, 
Texas where Leslie grew up. He was a 1957 graduate of North Texas University 
(then called North Texas State College). He then attended the University of Texas 
Law School and received his law degree in 1961 and was a licensed attorney until 
his death.
   In his early career after graduation from law school, Leslie and his family 
returned to Fairfield, Texas where he served as Freestone County Judge, one of 
the youngest county judges in the State of Texas.
   Prior to his judgeship, he served in the United States Army, 49th Armored 
Division under the National Guard call up during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He 
received an Honorable Discharge in 1964.
   Leslie’s career took him to Dallas where he became an attorney for Hunt Oil 
Company in 1966. He served as Vice-President of Hunt Properties, Inc. and as 
General Manager of Hunt-Stephens Investments, handling commercial real estate and 
oil and gas development. He was instrumental in the development of commercial 
real estate in Richardson and Plano, Texas as well as helping develop a master-
planned community in Glendale, Arizona. He retired as Trustee for Reliance Trusts, 
also a Hunt entity.
   Leslie was a member of the Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder as a young 
man and throughout his life. He was a member of the Emerald Bay Community Church 
in Bullard, Texas at his death. He enjoyed living in Emerald Bay and served on 
the Emerald Bay Board of Directors.
   Leslie Bonner was an honorable man. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather 
and friend; always patient and kind, a good listener and encourager. He loved his 
God, family and country, and his faith sustained him during his long illness. He 
was a living example of faith in God; no matter what the circumstances, and 
always a true gentleman.
   He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sally Rose Bonner 
Awalt.
   Leslie is survived by his loving family: his wife of 58 years, Elisabeth 
Crosby Bonner; his children: daughter Amy Bonner Drott and Earl of Tyler; son 
Tom Reid Bonner and Glenn Segler of Sunnyvale; daughter Anna Kate Bonner Brown 
and John of Dallas; grandchildren: Andrew, Catherine and Kyle Drott and Fielding 
and Hayden Brown. Leslie is also survived by his sister, Ann Bonner Gokey and 
husband Mike of Fairfield, brother-in-law Warren Awalt and his wife, Sissy of 
Fairfield. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Crosby of Dallas and 
many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial Graveside Services:
Friday February 6, 2015, 1:00 p.m. at Stewards Mill Cemetery 

Memorial Service Pending:
Emerald Bay Community Church