James Lester Dr. Quinn

Dr. James Lester "Les" Quinn, Ret. USAF Lt. Colonel, age 81, was in greeted in Heaven on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Les was born August 4, 1929 to Rose and Lewis Quinn in Woodsboro, Texas. A lover of books, drawings, art, and Greek mythology, Les's knowledge expanded to where his IQ was tested and it was found to be at a Genius level.

After high school in Woodsboro, Les received his B.S. Engineering and was honor student in the School of Law from the University of Austin in 1952. While at the University of Texas, Les's interest in the military began while he was a member of the Army ROTC and the Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation, Les entered the U.S Air Force as a commissioned officer.

He proudly served our country with two tours in Korea. After his last tour, he found his buddy's little black book to find a date. Luck had it, one lady was not interested but had a friend who was, her name was Vera Joy Neyland. After driving out to her parents' house, he took Joy on a first date where he asked her to marry him due to him being "struck by her beauty." She kindly declined but after asking three more times, she gladly accepted. After six weeks from meeting, they were married in June 18, 1955 and two days later he deployed to Alaska where he was then sent to Russia on a top secret mission for the U.S Space Program. Les later found himself to be the Program Evaluation and Review Technique officer for the first Air Force space program employing this sophisticated management and control system.

While serving in the U.S.A.F, Les received his M.B.A Engineering Management & Resources Accounting from the Air Force Institute of Technology, School of Business in Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio in 1960. While still serving in the U.S.A.F., Les did program management and project engineering responsibilities for space vehicle and satellite systems in Los Angeles, California. While in L.A, they had their child, Patrice Alana, born in 1963.

From L.A., they moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where he received his Doctorate of Business Administration from Indiana University 1967. While trying to meet his dissertation deadline, Joy went into labor; Les chose to drop Joy off at the hospital in order to turn in his paper in on time, only to return to find their second child, Michele Elena was born in 1965.

A short 14 months later, and a few cold winters, their third child, Michael Justus, was born in 1966 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Les, Joy and the kids soon found themselves back in Dayton, Ohio at Wright Patterson Air Force Base where Les was the Chief of the Graduate Education Division of the Air Force Institute of Technology's School of Systems and Logistics—serving in a position equivalent to that of a Dean of a graduate business school.

On their way to Texas, a road trip was taken to Washington D.C, to Colorado then finally making their way to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio in 1972. It was there he served as the Deputy Chief of Technical Plans and Analysis Division, as well as the Directorate of Research and Development for the Aerospace Medical Division.

In July of 1975, after 24 years, Les retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.

After retiring, Les went to work for the University of Texas at San Antonio was a Lecturer in Marketing and Management with the College of Business, from 1974-1980, making him one of the first professors of the University. In 1980-1988, Les became a member of the academic staff of the Texas Engineering Extension Service of the Texas A&M University System. With offices located at the South Central Texas Regional Training Center in San Antonio, he was responsible for the supervisory training and management development activities in that regional area. From then on, Les enjoyed traveling, gardening and spending time with family.

Throughout his life, Les received many awards and distinguishes. His professional societies, honors and awards included the Academy of Management, Advanced Professional Designation in the Logistics Management, Beta Gamma Sigma, Honor Student in the School of Law, Outstanding Contributor to Logistics Education, Presidents' Association of the American Management Association, Ramshorn Society Honorary Engineering Fraternity, Sigma Iota Epsilon National Honorary Management Fraternity, Society of American Military Engineers, Society of Logistics Engineers, With Distinction School of Business, Air Force Institute of Technology, With Honors College of Engineering, The University of Texas, and With Special Recognition From the President Graduate School of Business, Indiana University.

His military societies, honors and awards included, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal, Arnold Air Society, Distinguished Military Graduate, Distinguished Service Certificate, Distinguished Unit Citation, Meritorious Service Medal, Orange Wings Society, Outstanding Communications Graduate in the Air Force ROTC, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Scabbard and Blade Honorary Military Fraternity.

Les is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vera Joy Quinn; his daughters, Patrice Alana Quinn and Michele Elena Quinn Gorden and her husband, Robert; his son, Michael Justus Quinn and his wife, Wendy; his grandchildren, Ashley Brooke and Shelby Lynn Gorden, and Ireland Emma Quinn; step-grandchildren, Layken L. Moore and Collin W. Koenning; his sister, Rose Alice Osborn; his brother, Lewis Elmo Quinn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held:

Friday

February 25, 2011

10:00 AM

Main Post Chapel, Ft. Sam Houston

1605 Wilson Way

San Antonio, TX 78234

With Full Military Honors

Rev. Barry "Boots" Levine, officiating.

A Reception to follow at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Clubhouse. The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice, and his oncologist, Dr. Arun Rao for all of the compassion they gave to Les.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of San Antonio, 7400 Louis Pasteur Drive, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78229.