Leo Lyder Westerholm was born February 7, 1922 in Wharton County in the Danish Community of Danevang a few miles South of El Campo. He graduated from El Campo High School and Texas A&I University in Kingsville.

Leo was an avid gardener and had a variety of vocations from Ag. Teacher and working for his brother at the Shell Fish Restaurant in Port Lavaca. In 1953 he opened Westerholm Insurance where he worked until he retired.

Leo proudly served his country in the Medical Detachment of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, I Company, First Platoon of the 101st Airborne Division. He paratrooped in on Normandy as part of the Normandy Invasion June 6, 1944, D-Day, was captured and became a Prisoner of War until the end of WWII.

Leo served his Local VFW Post 4403 and served in all capacities as member of the Ex-POW Crossroads Chapter, and also a member of American Legion Post 0167. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Port Lavaca since 1956 and served there with great dedication and love.

He was also very civic minded and was a member of Lions Club for 60 years and was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow, earned the Grand Masters Key 4 times and served in every capacity of the club.

He was also a lifetime member of the Crippled Children's Camp, received the Jack Wiech Fellow Award, was District 2S4 Youth Exchange Chairman and Lion of the Year. Leo also served the Calhoun County American Red Cross as Chairman for 10 years. He was honored by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture as "Man of the Year" on his 80th birthday in 2002.

He was Calhoun County Republican Party Chairman for 12 years and appointed to the Governors State Rural Medical Education Board by Governor Bill Clements and re-appointed by Governors Mark White, Ann Richards and George W. Bush.

He was also dedicated to the Danish Heritage Society and Museum in Danevang, Boy Scouts of America and numerous other organizations and events.