Leonard Howard Fietz

Funeral service for Leonard Howard Fietz will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, in Cameron Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis Dawson, Associate Pastor officiating.

Burial will follow in Flower Mound Cemetery under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Leonard Howard Fietz, age 77, Lawton, died Friday, March 30, 2018, in Lawton.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

Endeavor: To exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive. Leonard Howard Fietz epitomizes the word in the most positive of fashions. Born on July the 14th, 1940, he began his mission to endeavor to be the best at whatever he did. A son, a husband, a father, a salesman and a businessman, it did not matter what it was, he put forth the effort to be the best that a man could be.

Leonard's childhood was spent growing up in Lawton and graduating from Lawton High in 1958. He always worked and soon found the gem of his life in Bette, his wife to be. The wonderful couple was married in 1963 in Lawton. They began a family almost immediately with John being born in 1964 and Jeffery being born in 1967. It was not long after when his professional career began in sales eventually making his way to a company named Tyler & Simpson in Norman, Oklahoma where he excelled for many years. His accomplishments with this company were never topped eventually leading the way to the highest of recognition as one of the top sales representatives for all companies in the country.

"He was quite a character! Dad always said that if you wanted to know how to be a salesman, follow Leonard around. His dry wit and frank responses were always so refreshing. Leonard was always the gentleman of the hour." Dayla Carson Blair.

Leonard's next endeavor was making a career change from salesman to business operator in 1986 when he signed a franchise agreement with a new company called Taco Mayo and opened his first store in Lawton, Taco Mayo number 35 at Cache Road Square. He endeavored and opened four more Taco Mayo locations in Lawton, Duncan and Marlow over the years. His character and hard work paid off where Leonard and Bette became successful multi-unit operators and on multiple occasions were named “Operators of the Year” in several different categories.

"Leonard was humble and always shared that success with his restaurant teams. Over the years, I can honestly say, we've had no franchisee more dedicated to bringing their management teams in mass to the Annual Awards Banquets. It was no surprise that his leadership resulted in developing some very loyal and tenured restaurant level management. He was always the consummate professional. The hospitality spirit he had and the passion he showed for the food business was apparent from the first time I met him. Leonard was well respected by his franchisee peers and was well spoken. He was a thinker and he was always proactive and involved in our strategic directives. Leonard's vision as a leader in the hospitality business does not go unappreciated. He will be missed. The Taco Mayo system will miss him and the industry will miss the type of passion he had in taking care of customers." Randy Earhart, Chairman CEO, Taco Mayo.

There are so many more examples that it would fill volumes of books, as he was literally loved by everyone he made a contact with. As a son, I experienced his wisdom and philosophy of life. I hold it dear to my heart and will continue his legacy until I can be with him again. Leonard left us with so much to carry on. Our hearts should fill with pride forever knowing the Man who endeavored for all of us.

He is survived by his wife, of the home; two sons, John Thomas Fietz, Lawton and Jeffery Bryan Fietz, Woodward, Oklahoma; and his sister, Rita Fietz-Faulk, Lawton.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 501 SW B Avenue, Lawton, Oklahoma 73501.

An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com