1924
Lt.
2015
Lt. Col Leslie Raymond Leavoy
September 21, 1924 — January 29, 2015
Les Leavoy, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends he laughed with, lived for, and loved on January 29, 2015.
He was predeceased, in death, by his best friend and the love of his life, Jane "Bootie" Leavoy, after 60 years of marriage, and by his son Lance C. Leavoy.
Les was born in Roseville, Michigan to Herbert and Elizabeth Leavoy. He graduated from Eastland High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the United States Army.
Les received his commission and wings through the Aviation Cadet Program on April 14, 1944. He flew 83 combat missions in the P-47 Thunderbolt providing close air support for 3rd Army in Europe, during World War II. He participated in several major campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge.
Les returned home from the war and joined the Michigan Air National Guard as a P-51 pilot. He returned to active duty during the Korean War, serving his first of three tours at Luke AFB training fighter pilots. Les led some of the earliest air combat missions during the Vietnam War on February 8, 1965 flying the F-100 Super Sabre. He served three tours in Vietnam as the squadron commander of the 90th and 416th TAC Fighter Squadrons flying 250 combat missions. Les ended his 34 year fighter pilot career as the USAF Advisor to the Texas Air National Guard, in San Antonio. He retired from the USAF in September 1976 with over 6,500 hours in fighter aircraft and some 57 decorations, to include the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 21 Air Medals.
Les went on to fly another 15 years in general aviation running flight schools at San Antonio International Airport and Randolph AFB, where he trained hundreds of new aviators.
Les is survived by his children Leslie R. Leavoy, Jr. and wife Martha O'Neal, of DeRidder, Louisiana; Lindsey J. Leavoy and wife Dolores, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Melanie Mowery, of Garland, Texas and Laird E. Leavoy and wife Laurie, of Euless, Texas. Les has 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Les' sons wish to express their sincere appreciation to our sister Melanie for her dedication and effort to provide Les with excellent care and a loving, warm home making his last years very happy and peaceful.
A Memorial Service will be held honoring Les Leavoy at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 13, 2015 at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, 2925 Fifth Street, Sachse, Texas 75048. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow at 1:15 P.M., in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. The interment will be followed by a reception with food and beverage in celebration of Les' life, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 North Main Street, Duncanville, Texas from 1:45 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
The Leavoy Family asks that memorial contributions be made to the "Les Leavoy Cadet Flight Indoctrination Program" C/O the Daedalian Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Randolph AFB, Texas 78148.
He was predeceased, in death, by his best friend and the love of his life, Jane "Bootie" Leavoy, after 60 years of marriage, and by his son Lance C. Leavoy.
Les was born in Roseville, Michigan to Herbert and Elizabeth Leavoy. He graduated from Eastland High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the United States Army.
Les received his commission and wings through the Aviation Cadet Program on April 14, 1944. He flew 83 combat missions in the P-47 Thunderbolt providing close air support for 3rd Army in Europe, during World War II. He participated in several major campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge.
Les returned home from the war and joined the Michigan Air National Guard as a P-51 pilot. He returned to active duty during the Korean War, serving his first of three tours at Luke AFB training fighter pilots. Les led some of the earliest air combat missions during the Vietnam War on February 8, 1965 flying the F-100 Super Sabre. He served three tours in Vietnam as the squadron commander of the 90th and 416th TAC Fighter Squadrons flying 250 combat missions. Les ended his 34 year fighter pilot career as the USAF Advisor to the Texas Air National Guard, in San Antonio. He retired from the USAF in September 1976 with over 6,500 hours in fighter aircraft and some 57 decorations, to include the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 21 Air Medals.
Les went on to fly another 15 years in general aviation running flight schools at San Antonio International Airport and Randolph AFB, where he trained hundreds of new aviators.
Les is survived by his children Leslie R. Leavoy, Jr. and wife Martha O'Neal, of DeRidder, Louisiana; Lindsey J. Leavoy and wife Dolores, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Melanie Mowery, of Garland, Texas and Laird E. Leavoy and wife Laurie, of Euless, Texas. Les has 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Les' sons wish to express their sincere appreciation to our sister Melanie for her dedication and effort to provide Les with excellent care and a loving, warm home making his last years very happy and peaceful.
A Memorial Service will be held honoring Les Leavoy at 10:00 A.M., Friday, February 13, 2015 at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, 2925 Fifth Street, Sachse, Texas 75048. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow at 1:15 P.M., in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. The interment will be followed by a reception with food and beverage in celebration of Les' life, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 North Main Street, Duncanville, Texas from 1:45 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
The Leavoy Family asks that memorial contributions be made to the "Les Leavoy Cadet Flight Indoctrination Program" C/O the Daedalian Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Randolph AFB, Texas 78148.
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