Leland Leonard McDonald

Leland Leonard McDonald, 90, passed away November 21, 2016 at St. John Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas. Leland was born in Greeley, Colorado to Jesse Barney McDonald and Ruby Beatrice Potter McDonald on October 23, 1926.

Lee, part of the greatest generation, followed his oldest brother into the Navy after graduating from Greeley High School in 1943. He fought in the Asiatic Pacific American Area where he received one star and a victory medal in the Philippine Liberation of 2 stars. He received two purple hearts and was seriously injured when his ship, U.S.S. LCI 432, was tied up for repairs and was hit by a suicide diver. After months of treatment on board a British hospital ship and in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was honorably discharged from the US Navy on May 11, 1946 and returned home to Greeley.

Lee graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts from the Colorado State College of Education which aided his getting work as a tool designer with McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft. He worked with Hughes and with Boeing Air Craft in later years.

Lee McDonald is survived by his wife Dorothy; four children, James McDonald, Cherie McDonald Smothers, Rosalee McDonald Thompson and Charles McDonald; 35 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Helen McDonald Cook of Ft. Collins and many nieces and nephews. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, wife Alice Lucille Dean and brothers, Willis Alfred, Jack Nolan, Jerry Charles and Kenneth Lavern and his son Michael Leonard as well his second wife Anita Carbajal.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2016 followed by Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. both at Stoddard Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.