Richard Lee Ledson

Tallahassee, FL – Richard Lee Ledson passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 22, 2021, after a long illness. He was born in Spencer, IN on May 29, 1947. He was the son of Leon (Bud) and Alice Jean (Livingston) Ledson.

Richard graduated from Spencer High School in 1965. Following high school, he attended Purdue University and received a degree in Aviation Management. He met the love of his life, Benna, in the summer of 1966 and they married the following year. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in April. Richard and Benna lived in St. Charles, MO for 15 years, before settling in Tallahassee in 1987.

Richard had a passion for aviation, and he worked in the airline industry for 55 years. He was a mechanic, pilot, airline president and everything in between. He owned Aero Associates, an airline maintenance company and Eagle Aircraft, a flight school at the Tallahassee Airport until his retirement in 2014. He also taught airframe and powerplant maintenance at Lively Technical College. He loved inspiring others to pursue their dreams in the aviation field. Richard was also an avid Florida State University Seminole Fan attending home football, baseball and basketball games for more than 30 years.

In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his brother Leon (Lee) Ledson Jr. Surviving in addition to his wife, Benna (McDoniel) Ledson, are his sons, Richard Lee Ledson II and Cornelius Carter of New York, NY, daughter, Tiffany Ledson Wendland and her husband, Darren of Street, MD, four grandchildren, Captain Richard Lee Ledson III (Tres) Ledson of Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX, Mackenzie Ledson-Ellwein and her husband Captain Austin Ellwein of Mildenhall AFB, London, UK, Sierra and Colton Wendland of Street, MD, many cousins and family.

A private memorial for family will be held in the future, memories and condolences can be shared at www.CulleysMeadowWood.com.

Those who wish to remember Richard in a special way may make donations in his memory to the Future Pilots of America at FuturePilotsofAmerica.net and or Cure Progressive Supranuclear Palsy at PSP.org