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: 03/10/2024
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