More detail on this person: John Franklin Leonard Jr., 80, passed away peacefully on Father's
DayJune 16, 2013, surrounded by all his children and in the loving arms of his devoted wife of
almost 62 years, Mary Leonard.
John was born to Hattie Mae and John Franklin Leonard in Torrence, in 1932.
He lived an abundant life, having joined the United States Army at the age of 15, and he retired in
1977 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 after nearly 29 years of service.
John married Mary Gillan on July. 5, 1951, at St Mary's Catholic Church in Baldwinsville, N.Y. His
Army career took him and hIs family all over the world includmg Germany, Thailand, the Panama Canal
Zone and Iran, as well as, numerous stateside assignments.
He began his career in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 1955 he went to Fort
Rucker, Ala., to Warrant Officer Candidate School, and later, flight school, Class L-55. John served
2 tours in Vietnam and received many medals and awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross
with Oakleaf Cluster, and the Bronze Star for heroism under fire. Sikorsky awarded him the
Helicopter Rescue Certificate - the Winged "S" emblem in 1958. John took great pride in serving in
the Army and living life as a soldier. John's greatest times of joy and satisfaction in the Army
were when he was flying. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, Otter Caribou Association; Warrant
Officers Association and the Vietnam Helicopter PIlots Association.
John made his home in Sierra Vista in 1976 when he retired. He loved fishing and playing
racquetball. He greatly enjoyed hunting; bowling, square dancing, going on cruises, playing darts
and watching the Diamondbacks. He passed on his love of the outdoors to his children and
grandchildren. He adored the poodles that were his lifelong companions.
John was fully initiated into the Catholic Church on March 22, 2008, at St. Andrew The Apostle Roman
Catholic Church in Sierra Vista.
John's-was preceded in death by his parents, Mae and Harry Karr.
John is survived by his children, Michael and Sandy Leonard, of White Sulphur Springs, Mont.,
Patricia Leonard of Lakeland, Fla., Jay Leonard, of Sierra Vista, Joy Kross of Miami Fla. and
Kathleen and Silvestre Garza, of Las Cruces, N.M. John had an especially close relationship with
Silvestre for over 33 years and considered him a true son.
John's grandchildren are Veronica and Michael Hawthorne, of EI Paso, Texas, Silvestre and Claudia
Garza, also of EI Paso, Jennifer and Steve Nicewonder, of Panama City, Fla., Michelle and Meridan
Freeman, of Lynn Haven Florida, Peter Brown of Providence, Rhode Island, and Michael and Jennifer
Brown of Waynesville, Mo.
John had seven great-grandchildren: Caitlin Hawthorne, Dalton and Gracie Nicewonder, McKenzie
Freeman, Nicole Lee Brown, and Jayden and McKinna Brown.
His family expresses their deepest gratitude and appreciation to John's fellow pilots and dear
friends that have visited during his last few years. Thanks to all of Valor Hospice, especially
Salona, his nurse, as well as his caregivers Juanita and Teresa. Heartfelt thanks to Father Greg for
lighting John's way to Our Lord.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ·VFW Post 9972, 549 Veteran's Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ
85635 and Disabled American Veterans Fry
Chapter 14, P.O. Box 1014, Sierra Vista AZ 85636.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon on June 21, 2013, at St Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic
Church, 800 Taylor Drive, Sierra Vista, Ariz. Burial will follow at the Fort Huachuca Post Cemetery.
Those wishing to attend the burial are requested to meet at the Widow's Support Center at,the Main
Gate at 12:45 p.m .. A reception will follow at St. Andrews Church.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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