Leon Choate, 80, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Friday morning, March 31, 2017, at his home in Carthage. He was born on March 11, 1937, in Panola County to the late Eston and Gladys Williamson Choate. Leon attended school in Antioch growing up and later attended Carthage schools. He earned his barber license at the age of 17 and at the time was the youngest barber in the state of Texas and worked in that profession for over 60 years. Leon married Lanell Oates on June 21, 1967, in Oklahoma and she preceded him in death Oct. 27, 2016. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. Leon loved "making a deal" while cutting hair at his barbershop and carrying on with his dear friends that filled the barbershop on a daily basis. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Angela and his grandson, Ricky.

Survivors include son, Keith Hicks; daughter, Linda Martin and husband David McGuire; grandson, Brad Martin and wife Jessica; and great-grandchildren, Sonora and Grady all of Carthage. Numerous other friends also survive Leon.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Jackson officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are William Goolsby, John Rittenberry, Keith Nutt, J.E. Salter, Kevin McAlister, and Glen Allums.

Honorary pallbearers are Joe Hudson, Joe Miller, John Cain, John Patterson, Billy Langford, Ted Seegers, Ben Sepaugh, Albert Boren and Dennis Smith.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.