Cecil Ray Gleason

Cecil was born in Okeene, Oklahoma on March 23, 1942, to Ruth and Charles Gleason. He grew up on a wheat farm in Enid, Oklahoma. When he was in junior high, Cecil and his family moved to Derby, Kansas. He graduated from Derby High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Kansas. Later in life, Cecil attended Wichita State University where he completed a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Cecil was the first member of his family to graduate from college. During college, he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Core (ROTC). Cecil served his country as a captain in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was the pilot of an O-1G "Bird Dog" flying reconnaissance and target acquisition missions. Cecil returned from Vietnam a war hero receiving numerous awards in recognition of his heroism during battle, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while in flight. His other awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal with 21 Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, and Medal of Valor with Silver Star.

While stationed at Fort Bliss Army Base, Cecil met Lucy Barbara Carroll and "made the best decision of his life" when he married her in 1969. Together they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Cecil worked for Beechcraft and was in charge of developing and running their state-of-the-art flight simulator. Later, he joined Boeing and worked on the top-secret F-22 Raptor fighter jet in Seattle, Washington. In 1994 Cecil and Lucy moved to Houston, Texas for Boeing where he worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Cecil retired from Boeing, in Seattle, Washington after 36 years of devoted work.

Cecil loved a good science fiction story. He enjoyed fine wine and beer and trying out new restaurants. He was devoted to Lucy and happily accompanied her to numerous musicals and plays, dance shows, and concerts of some of their favorite entertainers like Celion Dion, Taylor Swift, and Josh Groban. It wasn't difficult for Lucy to persuade Cecil to have a movie marathon, spending a full day watching three movies in a theater. Most of all, Cecil enjoyed time with his family, whether at a family dinner or on special vacations together.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Lucy, his sister, Cheri Hill, his three children, Bruce (Abra), Catherine (Igor), Lisa (Hugh), 5 grandchildren, Tev, Alexandra, Maceo, Eden, Eleanor and, soon-to-be-born Nash Ray; nieces, Carmen, Kristen, and Diana Carroll; a nephew, Daniel Carroll; and his brother-in-law, Michael Carroll (Susan). Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, brother James, and niece Stephanie.

Funeral services will be held on March 9th, at 10:30 AM at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona.