Leveritt

Raymond Leveritt Massey (1922-2001) said that his middle name was the name of a school teacher that his parents knew.

Leveritt's father was born in Collin County, Texas and there are several "Leverett" family members in the county records deed index (Jan 1, 1846 to Dec 31, 1911). Could this be the connection?

Leveritt Massey - Advice

This is transcribed from a 1989 birthday card given by Leveritt Massey to his grandson, Larls.


Son,
In spite of all the high tech, I trust that you’ll have no trouble finding your niche. Possibly in the high tech. There will always have to be those that mow the grass, drive the nails, and do the little mundane task. Satisfaction in a job well done is most rewarding. Be a man of your word. It seems every one from the President on down likes to cover his tracks with half truths (a lie). If you say I will be there @ eight o’clock, you did not tell the truth if you ger there at 8:05.
To be your best will take effort, and only you can make the effort. Advise is really worthless. Observation of a truth in action is priceless.

Pa Pa

Leveritt Massey - Bougainville

    The island of Bougainville was a stepping stone on the way to Rubaul, the main Pacific military base of the Japanese navy.  The United States Marine Corp was assigned the job of taking just enough of the island from the Japanese to create an air-base south of Torokina at the Empress Augusta Bay.
    The invasion began with an air raid of Corsair F4U fighter aircraft lad by Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, future leader of the "Black Sheep" squadron.
    Three steel mat air strips were established at the beach near the Piva River.  One was long and used by the bombers and supply planes while the other two were used by the fighter aircraft.  The Japanese military on the island was so close that planes would have to turn hard upon take off to avoid flying into the enemy anti-aircraft gun positions.
    Effete was often the last stop before Bougainville.
   Although many men died from combat, Leveritt Massey said that more soldiers in his unit actually died from weather and accidents.  On several occasions storms would hit the island causing trees to fall on their tents.  This would often crush the soldiers to death as they slept.
    Aircraft would often come back with damage and on one occasion an aircraft had a loose bomb which accidentally dropped as the plane was landing.   Falling next to the mess tent, it killed the men waiting in line to eat.
   Leveritt came close to death on a few occasions.  During a small attack Leveritt left his bed for the safety of a fox hole.  Another soldier stayed in his bed and was going to sleep though the battle.  Leveritt returned to find that one enemy shell hit the tree next to their tent and exploded into hundreds of fragments.   His bed and the others were full of fragment holes and the other soldier was killed.
    With the American forces focused on Rabaul, they did not take time to clear the remaining portion of the island of Japanese forces.   Leveritt told stories of occasional snipers and other hazards but said that this ended when an Admiral threatened the base commander that if they could not remove the enemy, his ships would blast everyone off the island.  Not wanting to get shelled by his own side, the base commander ordered all anti-aircraft guns lowered and fired for over 24 hours.  When the firing stopped the enemy was dead and the jungle around the base was reduced to smoking tree stumps.
    Being far from home meant that fresh fruits and vegetables were not often received.  On one supply shipment, the base received onions.  With this being the best that they had received in some time, Leveritt said that they ate them like apples and did not care about the taste or bad breath.
    The men's health was important to the military and the soldiers often faced medical examinations and preventative treatments.  Leveritt said that the medical tent was small and on a wooden platform.  The men would form a line to enter the tent, receive their shot, and leave by the back door.  More than one man was so nervous about needles that they would hit the ground because of fainting or missing the step leaving the tent.
    "There were two air strips there, Piva north and Piva south, were with the scout bombers, Piva north, the fighters were on Piva south. While we're going in, they were going out. That's the saddest bunch of Marines I ever saw in my life. I don't know how long they'd been there, enough to build an airstrip and secure the perimeter, their expressions, nobody was grinning or anything like that." Barney Cummings has said that was the only time during the war that his eyes welled up with tears.

Leveritt Massey - School Days

Elementary school was at J H Giles Elementary just seven blocks from the house on 4075 Congress Ave.
W L Straughn, Charles Taylor, Pat Gowling, Walter Freeman, James Fulgrum were part of that 1st grade class that also finished the 11th grade with me.
In the second grade I was a part in a school play. Never again did I stand forth in school. But was the shy - timid kid. Ms Love was I believe my 2nd grade teacher.
Mr. Brown the janitor lived in a house on the back corner of the school ground. (about 2 city blocks). He built ___ stroke skiffs in his spare time that was real interesting to me. we had a cut down model A Ford lawn tractor with steel rear wheels (Made by the shop at High School) that pulled a gang of three 48” reel type mowers. High school boys were employed to keep all the crabgrass and other weeds out of the school lawn. The lawns were always clean and beautiful.
In high school (1 mile from home) with no plans to go to college I guess I specialized in shop. 1st year (8th grade) we had three months of wood shop, machine shop, auto shop and the the 2nd year we chose one for me it was auto shop, the senior year we were allowed to take 3 hours of shop for which we received 2 credits (no study hall). With a chance to go to Lamar Jr. College (which was integrated with the high school some classrooms and teachers were shared and buildings). I had to take Physic and Chemistry during the summer to get in. I graduated with 18 1/2 credits instead of the 16 required. Was guilty of taking a 5 gallon bucket with a charcoal fire up into the one cold football night drew a crowd when word got out, finally took it down to the track out of the stands.

Leveritt Massey - WWII

The picture is of the 99th Platoon of the United States Marine Corp Reserves in San Diego, California. Leveritt Massey is third from left in the second row from the bottom. The story below was transcribed from a note written by Leveritt.

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School closed during the end of May 1941. I don’t remember any details concerning jobs, but did put an application in at the Magnolia Refinery where dad worked. Form me the school door had closed. Short courses – training sessions were it from this time on. Graduated from South Park High in Beaumont in May 1940. Lamar College was a part of the High School. Some buildings were shared, some teachers, the college was underwritten by the South Park School District which at that time had a little money.
The refinery, the oil fields, and the tank forms south of town were in our school district. The refinery paid a compromise tax. I think my tuition at Lamar college (year 1940-1941) was about $35.00 plus books, but when it cam time to sign up for 41-42 there was no money for college. Ray Hilton, the son of a painting contractor (oil field tanks), was in the same boat no money to resume school. I had thought about joining the navy, but Ray wanted to join the Marines, so with no hassles we joined the Marines. July 29, 1941 we entrained in Beaumont for Houston. In Houston we passed all the exams and put on the train for San Diego.
As I look back the entire passenger car must have been filled with recruits from Mississippi westward. It took two days for our car to reach San Diego. We were picked up and bussed to the Recruit Depot by those nice Sergeants, the likes of whom no one wanted to meet the second time. “FALL OUT” is the first command learned. We were billeted in a nice brick barracks till we were issued G.I. clothes, had a medical, and was given the standard haircut. Just about the time settled in Sgt. Klatt instructed us to put everything in the seabag were moving to the tent city. the balances of the seven weeks of boot camp was in tent city.
Times were tough lots of fellows were joining up many were coming to the Marines to skip the draft into the Army. At this time the draft only meant on year of service (I never signed up until I was discharged. Too young at the beginning and too many service points when I got out.
Sgt. Klatt was our DI [Drill Instructor] and platoon command (he had a Corp for an assistant, too dumb to make the grade). Klatt was sore at the world. He was recalled from 12 years in China where he lived like a king. He had an entire Chinese family hired to care for his home. They pulled him back to train recruits which really made him happy. Klatt was hard. He made good Marines out of boys. Hard but not overbearing. Some of the fellows complained one in their tend didn’t bathe. Sgt. told them each have a wash bucket, a scrub brush, laundry soap, there’s water at the end of the tent row and lots of sand out back... and I intended to be out of the area when we came in this afternoon till late tonight. Some orders are never voiced. That night the sun went down on a Red man. Duly scrubbed. Never again did anyone in the platoon miss a shower.
The hardest day in boot camp was a four hour march with full pack on the soft sand outback. (Bottom dredging from the Naval anchorage in the bay.)

Leveritt and Sally - 02June1946

Church Rites Unite Zelda Walters and R.L.Massey

The marriage of Miss Zelda (Sally) Walters, daughter of Mrs Ida Mae Walters, of Livingston to Raymond Leveritt Massey, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Massey of Beaumont, was solemnized at 9:00 o’clock Sunday evening June 2, 1946 at the Magnolia Park Assembly of God in Houston with Rev. E. M. Yeats officiating.

The alter space was adorned with gladiolas and asters illuminated by burning white tapers in floor standards. Lawrence Warren rendered the solo, “I Love You Truly,” accompanied by Mrs. Warren at the piano who also played the wedding march.

The bride, given in marriage by her brother, Reuel, wore a bridal gown of slipper satin, styled with a fitted bodice, long tapering sleeves inserted with lace and a lace inserted train. An orange blossom, sweetheart style head gear capped her long veil of illusion and she carried a bouquet of white gladiolas.

Miss Inez Walters, who was the maid of honor, wore a blue colenese crepe. Bridesmaids were: Mrs Edith Floe Cobb and Miss Fannie Enloe of Houston and they were gowned alike in pink celense crepe with a matching veil headdress and each carried a bouquet of gladioliias.

Best man was Earl Massey, brother of the groom, and groomsmen were: John Thomas of Livingston, Uncle of the groom, and Jack Alford of Beaumont. Ushers were Hollis Walters, brother of the bride, and Billy Walters, cousin of the bride.

Mrs. Ida Mae Walters, mother of the bride, chose a black crape frock with matching accessories and Mrs. E. L. Massey, mother of the groom, wore a black pin-stripe suit with black and white accessories. both wore corsages of gerbera daisies.

The home of Mrs. Pat Morgan, where the sister of the bride reside, was the scene for he reception which followed the ceremony. The serving table was laid out with a lace table cloth over pink satin and held the brides bouquet and a four tier wedding cake, embossed with pink roses and topped with a miniature bride and groom. Assorted flowers were also placed at vantage points throughout the reception rooms. The house party included: Mrs. Pat Morgan and Mrs. Robert Welz of Houston and Mrs. John Thomas of Livingston.

The former Miss Walters graduated from the Livingston High School in 1944, attended the Durham’s Business College in Houston and is now employed in the office of the County superintendent.

The groom is a graduate of South Park High School of Beaumont, attended the Lamar College of Beaumont and was discharged from the U. S. Marine Corps in October 1945.

Following the return from the wedding trip the couple will make their home in Livingston.

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This was transcribed from a newspaper clipping kept in Sally and Leveritt’s wedding memories book.

They were interviewed at 10:15 AM on June 8 1946 on the KPRC radio station’s “Bride of the Week” program. (This was before KPRC became an FM station.)

Their memory book also notes that Sally was sunburned while crabbing at Sabine, Texas. Not sure how many were caught or if they were eaten.

Raymond Leveritt Massey 1922-2001

Leveritt was born in his parents home (1844 College Street, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas) at 5:15AM Christmas morning in 1922 and was delivered by J. H. Reagan M.D. His parents, Edward Larls Massey and Lila Mae (Thomas) Massey, named Leveritt after a preacher who was named a small town in France.

According to the '1940 Spindletop,' his high school year book, Leveritt's senior year resolution was to "remember to get his History homework" and the phrase "Why worry? Life is too short." is typed next to his graduation picture.

Graduating from South Park High-school in Beaumont, Texas in 1940 , Leveritt decided to continue his education at the Lamar College. This only lasted for a semester or two due to a lack of funds.

Leveritt joined the United States Marine Corp Reserve (USMCR) on July 29, 1941 and specialized in the care of aircraft such as the Vought-Corsair F4U fighter; known as "Whistling Death" by the Japanese. His basic training (boot camp) was with the USMCR 99th Platoon in San Diego, California, but the remainder of his training was at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois where he became an Aviation Mechanist Mate. There are only two known letters from his time on Bougainville, Island but there are several letters from his time in the States. He would often write home about his daily activities but never included details about the dangers that he and other soldiers faced.

When Leveritt returned from Bougainville Island, he was given a pass to visit his family and orders to report to Cherry Point, North Carolina. He met his future wife, Zelda "Sally" Walters, while visiting with his Uncle and Aunt.

After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the USMCR on October 03, 1945, T. SGT. Leveritt was to travel with a friend to New York where they could both get a job. Leveritt received his discharge first and traveled to the home his friends' parents. While waiting for his friend to arrive, Leveritt purchased a 1941 Plymouth car. When his friend did not arrive, Leveritt decided to go back to Texas. He needed two new tires so his Uncle John Thomas used a connection at the Ration Board to obtain the tires. It was later learned that the friend did not go directly home to New York because he met a girl on the way home and stopped to get married.

Leveritt and Sally were married on 02Jun1946 in Texas. Jack Alford was his best friend and Best Man while Sally's sister Inez was her Maid of Honor.

Leveritt and Sally's first home was an apartment for about six months but they soon rented a furnished house. A year later they purchased a home from a couple that was leaving town. Included in the sale was most of the couples furniture. A garage was later added and paid for by Sally's mother in exchange for property in Livingston owned by Leveritt and Sally. Leveritt also helped move a barbershop to the property and convert it into a house for Sally's mother.

Leveritt and Sally had three sons (all still living).

He and his wife owned the Grangerland Grocery store for a short period when they sold the store to Mrs. McDowell in exchange for cash and a house at 609 Garrett Street in Conroe, Montgomery County, Texas. (Mrs. McDowell's son Monte married Elaine Dodd, the first cousin of Conan's first wife Susan. Conan and Monte were friends for many years)

He and his wife were member of the Conroe Assembly of God Church.

An active member of the Royal Rangers for many years, Leveritt achieved the position of District Commander for the South Texas area. He was active with the Royal Rangers for years and attended many functions with his youngest son, Dade. They even traveled to Australia for a Royal Ranger meeting.

Leveritt was asked by a member of the church to work for the City of Houston in their water department. He accepted and worked several years for the City of Houston.

He designed the original section of the Wigginsville Assembly of God church in Montgomery County, Texas. This church was built using steel and other materials remaining from decline of the"oil boom." Although the floor was level, Leveritt's original design called for a sloped floor and a raised pulpit to maximize the viewing area.

In 1980, Leveritt kept an appointment book where he listed details about himself; height 5'-7", weight 185 lbs.., color of eyes blue, color of hair gray. He also kept a fairly regular schedule... "When ever I worked with Grandfather, we always stopped at 3PM for a cola drink and cookies. He also would often have ice cream (sherbert) at 9PM", Leveritt's grandson, Larls Massey.

In his retirement years, Leveritt could often be found in his barn working on his latest project or driving his tractor. His grandson Larls would often enter the barn and shout "Hey Papaw" and hear Leveritt answer "Yo" to know where he was working at that point.

Having had open heart surgery in 1988, Leveritt knew what to expect when the dye injection test on 10 Oct 2000 showed three of four blocked arteries. The hope of using angioplasty (balloons to open the arteries) was soon lost and his second open heart surgery was on 8AM on 12/13 Oct 2000. Leveritt was also developing prostate cancer and suffered from little liver function. In February 2001, he signed up for a Hospice program and signed a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate order).

He died at home with his wife on Monday, 21 May 2001 at 4 A.M. Friends and family were received on May 23, 2001 at Cashner Funeral Home from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m and then the funeral was held on Thursday, May 24, 2001 at First Assembly of God Church.

Leveritt's body was laid to rest at the Menard Cemetery north of Livingston, Texas in Polk County. This cemetery is used by members of his wife's family and a few miles south of the Blue Water Cemetery that is used by members of his parent's family. For the first two years, Leveritt had a metal headstone that listed his birth date as 1923 but this headstone was replaced with a corrected headstone on Saturday, 10May2003 by his wife, and children.

Source:
• Leveritt Massey's Bible, returned to his second born son.
• Interviews with Leveritt and Sally Massey by his grandson, Conan Larls Massey Jr.
• Wedding License #43174, Volume 56, Page 396, Jefferson County, Texas.
• Professional and Conduct Records of Raymond Leveritt Massey from the National Archives and Records Administration, National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100 http://www.nara.gov/regional/stlouis.html
• http://www.royalranger.org/