Leland Wade Dontigney

He was born on March 12, 1932 in Washington, DC to Ferny and Lucille (Davis) Dontigney. Leland grew up and attended school in Meriden, Connecticut. He met Jean Louise Francis in 1953 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, and they were married on October 31st of that same year. He served his country in the United States Air Force, and retired after 26 years of service. While in the Air Force, Leland was honored to be the only Air Force member to be on the first H-Bomb mission to Japan near the Bikini Islands. Following his retirement from the Air Force, he began a second career as an accountant with the Veterans Administration, and retired for the second time after 21 years of employment.

Leland loved spending time with his family, especially his great-grandson, Roland, who was his pride and joy. They shared a special bond and a common interest in rodeo and bull-riding. He also enjoyed bowling, traveling, and anything that had to do with the water and going to the beach. He enjoyed sports and was a Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns fan.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of almost 61 years, Jean Dontigney of Austin; daughter, Cherie Lewis of Austin; granddaughter, Jennifer Lee Rivera and husband Roland of Austin; great-grandson, Roland Lee Rivera of Austin; sister, Virginia Goudace and family of Connecticut; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Dontigney and family of Florida and Jackie Malo and family of California; as well as many other loved ones.

Family and friends are invited to gather at a visitation to be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.