Rev. C. Leo Symmank

Rev. C. Leo Symmank, 97, a loving pastor, husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away from a long illness in Lone Tree, Colorado, surrounded by his family on January 1, 2026.

Born on December 9, 1928, on a farm in Giddings, Texas, to Arnold August and Wilhelmine Halene (Vehrenkamp) Symmank. The family lived in mostly Wendish community, speaking German at home.

He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Giddings, TX (’35-‘42), Baptized December 23, 1928, Confirmed March 29, 1942, graduated from Prep School at Concordia Lutheran in Austin, Texas, 1946, graduated St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, 1948, and completed his seminary training at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO in 1953. Following graduation, Leo served for two years on the dean’s staff at Concordia Seminary, where he pursued advanced theology studies and attended Washington University, St. Louis as a graduate, in sociology. In 1955, he was ordained in the Lutheran Church. He later received his master’s degree in education from Memphis State University in 1962.

Leo dedicated his life to ministry. He served pastorates at Holy Cross in Whitehaven, Tennessee; Bethany in Houston, Texas; Founding Pastor of Gloria Dei in Nassau Bay, Texas; St. Paul and Trinity in New Orleans, Louisiana; Fishers of Men in Port Isabel, Texas; and Grace Lutheran in Many, Louisiana. While serving at Gloria Dei, he was elected to the charter commission responsible for drafting the charter for the newly formed City of Nassau Bay, Texas.

He is a recipient of the Dr. George Beto Leadership Award by Concordia University Texas, the Christus Mundo Award by Concordia University in Irvine, California and the Lamb Award by the Lutheran Association of Scouters.

In 1966, Leo married Rose Merle Schwing, of Houston, Texas, the love of his life. They shared a marriage rooted in faith, service, and deep mutual devotion.

In 1974, Leo and his family moved to St. Louis, where he served for ten years on the national youth staff of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He was the program director for national youth gatherings and editor of the youth ministry quarterly Resources for Youth Ministry. He developed a youth volunteer program, LCMS Servant Events, serving as the founding director throughout the 1980’s. He represented the LCMS to the Camp Fire for Boys and Girls, the Girl Scouts, and the Boy Scouts of America. He authored and co-authored several influential resources, including Sounds of Sorrow and Celebration, A New Start in Youth Ministry, Portals of Prayer & Hopeful Living devotionals and various worship and leadership materials for youth.

In 1984, Leo moved with his family to New Orleans, serving on the staff of the Southern District of the LCMS and as stewardship executive of the Southern District Extension Fund. He was subsequently elected to the district’s board of directors and served on other boards, including P.R.A.Y. (Programs of Religious Activities for Youth) Publishing and Lutheran Social Services of the South. He was a representative for Wheat Ridge Ministries, advocating for health and human care throughout the church.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Leo and Rose Merle returned to Texas and rejoined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and continued their ministry as parishioners.

As an Eagle Scout, Leo was deeply committed to the Boy Scouts of America, serving on the National Youth Committee for more than forty years and as a member of the Lutheran Association of Scouters, Religious Relationships Committee. He worked as a chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch for 4 summers and on the Faculty of Lutheran scouting at Philmont Training Center for 8 summers and also served at other BSA camps, including Camp Napowan for 3 summers, the Protestant Chaplain for the USA at the World Scouting Jamboree Australia (1987-88), BSA New Orleans Area Council Board Member and Louisiana-Mississippi Council, Honorary Life Member of the National Association of Lutheran Scouters and contributed numerous worship resources for scouting ministries, including the First Eagles Soaring High, Scouts Worship, and a guide for summer camp chaplains.

In partial retirement, Leo served as a resource leader and advisor for Lutheran Brotherhood, assisting chapters across a six-state area in using fraternal resources to meet human-care needs in their communities. He continued to lead worship until age 89 and to write daily devotionals for Hope-Full Living until age 92. He moved to Seabrook, TX in 2006 and studied to become a Texas Master Naturalist, with Rose Merle, devoting himself to environmental stewardship on the Texas coastal waters.

Leo is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Rose Merle Symmank; his children, Mark Edward Symmank, Suzanne Symmank Schmidt, Scott August Symmank and Son-in-Law Joseph Schmidt; his grandsons Jonah James Schmidt and Johann August Schmidt; Brother-in-law Fred L. Ernest and sister-in-law Candice Ernest; his niece Erin Ernest Heard and Jacob Ernest; his sister-in-law Mrs. Charles (Joan) Symmank and his brother H. Melvin Symmank, his sister-in-law Barbara Symmank and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. His brother Charles Ray Symmank, and parents preceded him in death.

His life was marked by faith, leadership, compassion, and a profound commitment to young people and the church. His hobby of photography lead to many photo publications, that still bring his family joy, and he loved working on projects to protect and improve nature. He would often be found traveling the blue highways to small towns, stopping for that perfect photo or to speak with locals, he never met a stranger. He will be remembered with gratitude by the many individuals, congregations, and organizations blessed by his ministry, love and friendship.

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