from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Leon T. Selby, age 81, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Leon was born in Rensselaer, Indiana on December 19, 1933, the son of Thurman and Anna (Hielscher) Selby. He was a lifetime resident.

At 18 years of age Leon enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed at Argentia, Newfoundland and served from 1952 to 1960.

Leon returned to Rensselaer and for 40 years was the trainer and owner of Selby Racing Stable’s and was a member of the United Sates Trotting Association. His best year as a trainer was 1995 when he recorded 17 wins and earnings of $94,578. He was also the owner and operator of the Marathon Gas & Service Station in Rensselaer for 20 years.

He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Rensselaer.

Leon was a 50-year member of the American Legion Post #29, a member of the V. F. W. Post #1279 and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a former member of Curtis Creek Country Club where he was known as “Leon the Legend” and was a 5-time Club Champion, last winning the Championship in 1987.

An avid bowler, Leon had bowled in the local men’s league and was the 1963 Indiana State Bowling Champion. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially a good game of poker.

In Rensselaer, Indiana on June 10, 1961, Leon married Carol Williams who survives.

Surviving is his loving wife Carol and their children, Julius “Butch” Selby of New Albany, Ind., Brett (companion Lidia Zych) Selby of Anderson, Ind., Jody (husband Jeff) DeBoy of Lafayette, Ind., and Lisa (husband Don) Watt of Rensselaer; ten grandchildren, John Meister, Lindsey Skiles, Kylee Thurston, Sandra Watt, Chelsea Watt, Meghan Selby, Brittany Selby, Haley Selby, Chassity Howard, and Melissa Selby; five great-grandchildren, Brody Skiles, Leighton Skiles, Palmer Thurston, Kian Meister and Nathan Thomas Howard; two sisters, Jo An Ford of Buckeye, Arizona and Marlene (husband Bill) Lyall of Sun Lakes, Arizona and a brother, Marvin (wife Jorja) Selby of Rensselaer.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson Jason Selby and a great-grandson, Robert Matthew Davis.

Friends may call at the Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer Friday, December 11, 2015, from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at the Church of the Nazarene in Rensselaer at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Lisa Ulrich officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Rensselaer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, VARO Federal Building, 575 N. Pennsylvania Street, # 324, Indianapolis, IN 46204, the Church of the Nazarene, 200 S. McKinley Avenue, Rensselaer, IN 47978, or the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, 820 S. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612.