Condolence: Please pardon the lateness of my response. That being said, I was a first time band director in Enid at Emerson Junior High in 1978. Leon was a patient and respected mentor of mine as I began my 33 year career as a band director. He did his best trying to show me the ropes of teaching band, and I know he would have wished I had learned more from him. That's the way he was - Respectful and patient when I probably just needed a slap on the head!
Leon once helped me in rehearsal with my band and they sounded much better than I had prepared them! I will never forget my days in Enid and the influences of Gene and Leon! Blessings to you all!

Condolence: Leon was a fine man, excellent musician and teacher. It was a pleasure to have worked with him in Music Education. James Bussell, OKC

Condolence: What an honor to live in the shadow of Leon Jewell. He was a great source of knowledge and inspiration for those of us who are in the music education field.

Nancy and Family: May the Warmth of God's Love embrace you, May the Compassion of those who care Surround you, and May the Joy you once Shared brighten your days, with the Assurance that Love Lives Forever.

Condolence: We are thinking of you during this time.

Condolence: I first met Leon Jewell in 1972 when I joined the Waller JHS band. He was a friendly face and superb music teacher, always ready to lend an ear and provide that much needed bit of advice to a budding musician. But more important than simply being a top-notch band leader and educator, Leon was a truly good man. In all of the years I knew him, I never heard anyone utter a harsh word or comment in his direction -- positive thoughts followed him always. Leon Jewell: I'm proud to have known you. You leave a fine legacy and will be long remembered by a great many!

Mark Wintersole
Montgomery AL

Condolence: As my sister, Robin, so eloquently shared, Mr. Jewell is a much, much greater influence on the lives of the multitudes of people who know him and love him than just his many extraordinary gifts to the field of music. It seems like the music, whether from an instrument, from a band or a group or an entire music community he led, or from the inner music of encouragement and inspiration he breathed into every person he met…it seems like his special kind of music was just one of his many gifts for expressing his joy and love for life and for others. He is the very embodiment of that wonderful tribute to those who deeply touch our lives - as gifted as he is in the field of music, he is an even better person.

As we learned early in the pursuit of music, the downbeat of the conductor’s baton signals the beginning of a measure of music. As we learned later in the pursuit of life, Mr. Jewell’s downbeat signaled the beginning of a much, much broader measure - the ever deepening impact he continues to have on our lives, the many things that we can only begin to understand as we take up the responsibilities of careers and families and making something of ourselves and contributing meaningfully to those around us.

We also learned early in the pursuit of music that the upbeat of the conductor’s baton prepares us for the downbeat. And, as we learned later in the pursuit of life, Mr. Jewell’s upbeat prepared us to realize that life truly is all about the music, the inner and outer music we contribute to our families and to those who interact with us, and the inner and outer music others have contributed in guiding us along the paths of life.

Yes, conducting manuals say the upbeat should take the same amount of time as the downbeat, but with Mr. Jewell showing us the way, we came to realize that his upbeat echoes eternally. Long after his baton no longer guides our musical performances, his upbeat will always be woven in the very fabric of our minds, our hearts, our souls, and our interactions with others.

Yes, the world is a much, much better place because of Mr. Jewell and we can all celebrate that we had the profound honor and privilege to know him, to love him, and to be moved by him and by his special kind of music. Yes, he did far more than just lift a conductor’s baton, he lifted our lives

God Speed, Our Beloved Conductor!

Condolence: You can go for decades of your life without seeing or talking to a person who was an important part of your life and school years and yet, their influence over your life never completely fades away. That's the way it was when I think back on Mr. Jewell (and Mrs. Jewell also, as my English teacher). Nancy, Tracy, and the rest of the family, I am so sorry for your loss; you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Mr. Jewell was my band director at Waller Junior High from 1968-1971 (flute and twirler). He was accomplished, yet down-to-earth and connected so well with all of us band kids. Today, I am thinking about those three years of being in the Waller band room for class and out on the practice field under his direction, "Mass Band" with the Big Blue band, and that he let us play a contemporary song, "The Horse" in the stands at an event. He was such an enduring piece of the music scene in Enid, and he will be greatly missed! Robin Pierce, Fort Collins, Colorado

Condolence: Our thoughts and prayers to your family at the loss of Leon. What a remarkable life Nancy, you and Leon have been so blessed to have. You have affected many lives in so many positive ways!

Condolence: I still remember my first day of band in 6th grade. My mom encouraged me to play either bassoon or French horn because they were less popular instruments. Mr. Jewell let me start on bassoon as a 6th grader, and I'm still playing 25 years later. It's a part of me, and I'm so grateful! Mr. Jewell affected many lives by giving us the unique opportunity to play in band.

Condolence: Leon was my trumpet teacher and my mentor. He made trumpet fun! I took lessons from him about 1961 - 1967. I still play. His love of trumpet and music was so contagious. I started at Emerson playing with a broken arm. Leon had warned them about me, that there was a small kid coming from Monroe grade school that was gonna be trouble. I never lost first chair my 3 years there at Emerson. It was fun. When I left Emerson and went to High School, it just wasn't the same. And it won't be the same without him. Blessings, and see you someday soon Mr. Jewel!