LEONARD JOHN F

CW4 John F. Leonard was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/16/2013 at the age of 80.6
Sierra Vista, AZ
Flight Class 55-L
Date of Birth 10/24/1932
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 57 TC CO in 62, 611 TC CO in 63, JUSMAG THAILAND in 64-66, 243 ASHC in 67, 712 TC DET in 68
Call sign in Vietnam BOXCAR 5
This information was provided by Don Joyce

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

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association