MADERA - Former columnist for several Madera newspapers, Leon Emo, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, at the age of 67. He was born May 26, 1948, in Los Angeles, but not long after his birth, he settled with his family in the San Joaquin Valley, where his father, Leon Emo, Sr., opened a crop-dusting business, for which Leon worked while he was growing up.

He attended Madera schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1966. Shortly after completing high school, Mr. Emo was drafted into the Army, and he served his country in Vietnam, South Korea, and stateside until he was honorably discharged in 1970.

He returned to Madera, where he went to work at a local winery before joining his father-in-law, Ted Sanderson, in the auto body business in 1975. Mr. Emo remained at the body shop for several years, ultimately assuming ownership in 1982. He ran that business successfully, selling it in 1995.

After that, he worked for Pacesetter Chevrolet and Van's Studio, before joining the City of Madera Parks and Community Services Department, from which he retired in September of 2012.

In 1997 Leon began writing his "Mo's Musings" and "A Day In The Life" articles for Fred Ward at his new upstart newspaper, the Madera County Times. At some point there was a falling out between Emo and Ward, and the Times discontinued running the articles. At this point Jack Porter of Madera Online offered Emo a place for his writings where "Mo's Musings" ran until November 24, 2001.

After leaving Madera Online, Emo became a regular columnist in the Madera Tribune. Including his "Mo's Musings" and he wrote a monthly feature, “Mo’s Meanderings.” He also covered stories about community organizations, parks and activities. Emo has also written two self published books.

In addition to his busy professional life, Mr. Emo was a tremendous athlete. He was an excellent bowler, participating in leagues and tournaments for decades. He was also a table tennis champion and a member of many dominant slow-pitch softball teams.

Another of his passions was his community. He worked with children at the Junior Olympics and coached James Monroe elementary school’s roller hockey and flag football teams to championships. He served as a board member for the United Way and the Madera County Child Abuse Prevention Council. He was also a member of a number of community service organizations.

Mr. Emo was active in the Elks Lodge, the Friends of Rhyolite, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Breakfast Lions, where he was twice named ‘Lion of the Year.’

In his leisure time, He enjoyed watching his beloved Boston Bruins and San Francisco 49ers, but his favorite pastime was traveling to the Mojave Desert. He became such an authority on the desert that he eventually guided trips for others.

Mr. Emo is survived by his wife of 48 years, Viola Emo of Madera; their son, Michael Emo of Madera; a sister, Debbie Kerns of Hamilton, Montana; sister-in-law, Charlotte Aanonson, and her husband, Bruce Aanonson of Madera; sister-in-law Paula Cornelison, and her husband, Gary Cornelison of Madera, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Leon Emo, Sr., and Goldena Emo; stepmother Gail Emo, stepmother Gloria Emo, father-in-law Ted Sanderson; mother-in-law Grace Sanderson, and sister Lynnda Benson.

A Celebration of Leon Emo’s life will be held at Valley West Christian Center in Madera, California, on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. Valley West Christian Center is at 101 W. Adell Street, Madera, CA 93638 (559) 674-8922. Following the service a dinner reception will be held at the Madera Elks Lodge at 112 West Sixth Street.

The family requests that guests for the memorial be in comfortable, casual attire, much like you would have expected to see Mr. Emo wear. A pair of shorts and a wide-brimmed hat would not be inappropriate.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Friends of the Madera Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 923, Madera, CA 93639, or to Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, 1-800-227-2345.