Mr Leon Chaudron

Leon H. Chaudron, loving husband and father of three children died at South Baldwin Hospital in Foley, Alabama on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at the age of 87. Leon was born on October 22, 1934, in Megargel, Alabama to Houston Chaudron and Georgia Simmons Chaudron. He married Ginger Chaudron on August 13, 1960. He was preceded in death by his wife Ginger Chaudron of Foley, Alabama, Father Houston Chaudron of Frisco City, Alabama, Mother Georgia Simmons Jerkins of Repton, Alabama, one son Mark S. Chaudron, brothers H.R. Chaudron of Monroeville, Alabama, Garland K. Chaudron of Brewton, Alabama, and a sister, Betty Jo Chaudron of Megargel, Alabama. Leon is survived by his son Mike Chaudron (Donna) of Houston, Texas; daughter Melissa House (Chris) of Gulf Shores, Alabama; grandsons Michael Chaudron (Kaylin) and Andrew Chaudron (Cayla) of Houston, Texas, Christopher House of Gulf Shores, Alabama; and granddaughter Kristen House of Gulf Shores, Alabama, plus two great grandchildren, Jack and Sadie, as well as a multitude of cousins and great friends. Leon enjoyed success both in his professional life and hobbies. Leon served in the US Army as a Staff Sargent/Crew Chief for Helicopters stationed in Germany. He had a great experience in the Army, including being a member of the helicopter crew that ferried then President Eisenhower to a NATO meeting at Versailles, in France, the first time a US President arrived at a meeting in a helicopter. Leon’s love of aviation continued throughout his life, earning his Private Pilot’s license and as a small plane owner for many years. Leon and several other influential Foley residents shared the love of aviation and were the first people to actively use the Foley Municipal Airport. He had great experiences and stories of his time in his Cessna Skyhawk. Leon was an influential businessman in Gulf Shores. He started selling auto parts in the late 1950s, and that quickly transitioned to his founding of South Baldwin Automotive Supply in Gulf Shores, Alabama, which he owned until his retirement in the 1994. With the founding of South Baldwin Automotive, Leon was the first business in Gulf Shores to have a full-service auto repair shop, the first wrecker service, the first auto parts store, and the first ambulance service. During his many years of owning South Baldwin Automotive, Leon met many people and carried on lifetime friendships as a result. The Alabama Highway Patrol used South Baldwin Auto as their staging point for security for the Alabama Governor’s Retreat near Fort Morgan, so it wasn’t unusual to see Alabama Politicians and business leaders at South Baldwin Automotive. Leon was also active in the Gulf Shores community, including the Chamber of Commerce. Leon was known for his many hobbies. He and his friend Wade Ward were among the founding members of the Gulf Shores Golf Club. One of Leon’s greatest loves was hunting. He was an avid quail hunter, and he and his buddy Charlie Johnston were often seen all over South Baldwin County in their jeep, looking for the next fence row and coveys of quail. Leon also loved to deer and big game hunt and enjoyed many great experiences on hunting trips to Alaska, Canada, and Colorado. Upon his retirement in 1994, Leon and Ginger bought a farm near Foley where he raised Buffalo and Bison. Twin Oaks Farm was where Leon spent most of his retirement years and gleefully hosted family and friends at events at Twin Oaks. Leon as also an avid coin collector and was active in the Foley area Coin Collectors Club and served at many of their events. His coin collection was well known, and he developed an expertise in coins and currency. He especially loved giving Two-dollar Bills and Buffalo Nickels to friends and school aged children, hoping to pass along his love of coin collecting. He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Gulf Shores, where he served as an Elder and Mobile Presbytery Delegate and one of the leaders of the Christian Service Center in Gulf Shores. Later in life, Leon and Ginger moved their membership to First Presbyterian Church in Foley. Leon was an avid supporter of Foley High School activities, including Band and Football and also a lifelong fan of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, attending many games with his friends Guy and Mary Harmon Moman, Max Rodgers, and his brother Garland Chaudron. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 24, at First Presbyterian Church, 195 E. Berry Ave, Foley, Alabama 36535 at 3:00pm. The family will receive visitors from 2:00pm- 2:45pm at the church. A family graveside service will be held at 5:00pm, Pine Rest Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in Leon’s memory be made to either The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Boy’s Ranch (https://www.alabamasheriffsyouthranches.org/contributions) or The South Baldwin Numismatic Society, at P.O. Box 1836, Foley, Alabama, 36535

Mr Leon Chaudron

October 22, 1934 - August 18, 2022