Another of the Greatest Generation Departs
Posted on: October 20,2015
Bill Blackwell
It is happening far too quickly. We lost the third member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame within the past five weeks. This time it was Leon Bramlett, who follows fellow Hall of Fame members Bert Jenkins and Tom Goode to those pearly gates. Leon, was a Clarksdale, MS native and graduated from Clarksdale High in 1941.
Following graduation Leon attended Ole Miss and played football in 1941, transferred to Alabama and played in 1942 for the Crimson Tide and then went to the US Naval Academy. In 1943 he became the Naval Academy heavy-weight boxing champion and then in 1944 and 1945 he earned All-American honors as an end on the football team at Navy.
After graduation and his marriage to Virginia McGehee of Greenville, MS he served two years in the Marine Corps. Returning home after the service, Leon was involved in farming and became involved in local and state politics. He served as the State Chairman of the Democratic Party from 1968 – 1972 then switched parties and twice running for Governor of the State of Mississippi. He served on Senator Thad Cochran’s staff from 2001-2013.
Leon was 92 years of age and passed away at the home of his son in Texas. He will be missed by his many friends and family but his story will live on here in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
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