Leo spent most of his life living in the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from Burbank High School. During WWII he was inducted into the Army Air Corps. He served as an engineer and gunner on the B-24 Liberator, flying bombing raids over the oil refineries of Germany. He was decorated with the EAME Theater Ribbon with six Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He met his wife Patricia May Curran in 1945 in Rochester, Minnesota, where they also married. Shortly thereafter they moved to California where he was employed by the Flying Tigers making flights into Japan. In 1948 he began a career working for TWA as a Flight Engineer. He was commended with a Meritorious Award in 1977. He retired as a 3rd Pilot in 1984.
Leo truly enjoyed life. His hobbies were numerous. He hunted, fished and dabbled in photography. He loved the outdoors. He owned several small airplanes during his lifetime, but his favorite was his "putt putt" a 1947 PA-12 Piper. At one time be built and owned a stock car and midget racer.
Leo was a proud veteran. He served with the All Veterans Burial Squad, and was a lifetime member of The VFW and The American Legion Willis A. Rowe Post 538 of Sylmar.
Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; and sons, Daniel and Roy. He is survived by stepbrother, Robert Deason of Virginia; daughter, Kathleen (James) Faulconer of Sylmar; son, Bartley of Montana; eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on March 18, 2006, 1:00 p.m., at The American Legion Hall, Post 538, at 12831 -1/2 North Maclay, Sylmar, California, located behind Ember Care Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to any Veterans organization of your choice.
Published in Los Angeles Daily News on Mar. 14, 2006
No comments:
Post a Comment