Leonard & Jean Challain

Leonard John Challain, Captain, SC US Navy and Certified Public Accountant, died at 91 years of age in Dupont, Washington on January 9, 2017. He was born in Tacoma, Washington to Ellen Carlson Challain Wienand and Adolph John Challain. Len graduated Olympia HS in 1943 and attended Whitman College and University of Colorado in the V-12 Officer training program. He was Commanding Officer of a Landing Ship, LSM 306, at the end of WWII. He married Jean Stone (OHS class of 1944) in Coronado, California in 1945.

Len attended Stanford University. After serving on LSM 377 he was commissioned in the Supply Corps in 1948. He served on USS Richard B. Anderson DD786, USS Henrico APA 45, and USS Passumpsic AO 107 in combat in the Korean War. He was Supply Officer of USS Bushnell AS 15 1965-67.

Lt. Challain earned a Masters Degree in Engineering from Georgia Tech, then went on to be Director of R&D for Navy clothing. He awarded R&D contracts in the textile industry for synthetic blends now used extensively in uniforms and civilian clothing.

Captain Challain was director of contract operations for Naval Air Systems Command where he led the team that awarded the Navy F-14 fighter contract to Grumman Aircraft and the Navy S-3 antisubmarine aircraft to Lockheed Martin.

His last Navy assignment was Commander Defense Contract Administration Service, New England. After 32 years active duty, Len retired aboard USS Constitution.

After retiring from the Navy in 1975, Len was purchasing manager of the Fuel Products Division, Parker Hannifin Corporation.

In 1990 a corporation was formed with wife Jean, son Larry and his wife Cheryl to roast premium coffee. Len was treasurer, Jean was a Director. The business, Batdorf and Bronson Coffee, has headquarters in Olympia, WA with plants in Olympia and Atlanta, Georgia.

Len and Jean were avid golfers and traveled extensively. Len was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Sigma Xi Research Fraternity and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Fraternity and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Len was predeceased by his wife, Jean. They are survived by seven children, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers the family request you send donations to The Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County, the Olympia YMCA, or a charitable organization of your choice.

Jean (Velva Jean Stone) Challain passed away on Feb. 26th, 2016. She was born on Feb. 27th, 1926 in Auburn, Washington to Gladys (Willis) and Claude Stone (both deceased). Her brother Leonard was born in 1929 (deceased). In the early thirties the family moved to Olympia, Wa. Jean attended Washington and Lincoln Grade Schools and graduated from Olympia High School in 1944.

She then attended the University of Colorado. Jean and Len Challain were married November 19th, 1945 in Coronado, California where Len was stationed with the Navy. For thirty two years she was a Navy Officer's wife, living in many parts of the United States and Guam. After her husband's retirement, they settled for a number of years in Irvine and then Escondido, California. In 1994, they moved in their home at McCormick Woods Golf Course in Port Orchard, Washington. In 2005 they moved to their present home in Lacey.

Jean was Publicity Chairman and Treasurer of the Ladies Golf at Vista Valley Country Club, Vista, California; President of the Submarine Wives Club of Key West, Florida, a member of the Navy Supply Corps Officers Wives Club, and Navy League of Bremerton. She held offices in the Navy Wives League (OWLS) of Southern California and the Orange County Philharmonic Society (Alta Bahia Chapter). She was a member of the McCormick Woods Ladies Golf Club and served as Vice Captain.

Jean is survived by her husband and children: Eric (Irma) Fort Worth, Texas; Linda (Skip) Stefansen, Fair Oaks Ranch, Fair Oaks, Texas; Larry (Cherie) Olympia, Wa.; Karen (Jeff) DeBerard, Gig Harbor, Wa.; Janet (Charles) Braun Tulalip; Steven (Beth), Mission Viejo, Ca., and Corine Challain, Olympia, Wa.

Jean's interests were her family, gardening, sewing, porcelain, painting, genealogy, golf and travel.