Leon Mac Crosswhite, of Hennessey, Oklahoma, died on April 13th, 2026.
Leon was born to Dwaine McKinley and Margret Winona Crosswhite on April 28th, 1951. Leon graduated from Hennessey High School in 1969 and went on to play football at the University of Oklahoma until 1972. He spent three seasons playing in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots before returning to OU to complete his degree in advertising in the spring of 1974. He married Patricia Ann Crosswhite, his wife of forty years, on September 16, 1974. Trish and Leon settled in Hennessey, Oklahoma, where they raised their four children and owned and operated Crosswhite Spraying Service for more than thirty years.
Leon will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Known for his compassionate, warmhearted spirit, Leon was devoted first and foremost to his wife, four children, and nine grandchildren. Leon was also an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hennessey, where he was a committed member of his Men’s Club. He had a reputation for his diligent, hard-working nature and was an avid fisherman and lover of sports.
Leon is survived by his daughters Katie; her husband Marcus Newby; and their four children Hanna, Benjamin, Sara Grace, and Blair; Becky; her husband Aaron Strope; and their three children Jack, Molly, and Luke; Maggie; her husband Yalçin Durguner; and their two children Leyla and Mac; and son Patrick Crosswhite. His other surviving relatives include his sister Jenae Swart; brother Rodney Crosswhite; brother Kenny Crosswhite, wife Phyllis; and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his cherished wives, Trish (1952-2014) and Amy Nelson-Crosswhite (1951-1973), as well as his parents and sister Naomi Crosswhite.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hennessey Educational School Foundation or St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Men’s Club with the funeral home serving as custodian of the funds. A rosary will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Thursday, April 16th at 6pm and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 17th at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 N. Cherokee St. Hennessey, OK 73742. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Hennessey under the direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home.
About The Author
