SHARKS, Leon Jr., 60, of Glendale, Arizona, Master Sergeant (MSgt), United States Air Force Veteran, Retired, passed away on November 15, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Sharks, Sr., and Florence Reed Sharks; brothers, Ernest L. Farris and Tobias C. Sharks; and sister, Opheredas Sharks. He is survived by his children, Christopher Bradford, Stephen Sharks, Brennaka (Steven) LaCour, and Tiffani Sharks; grandchildren, Trevyn Bradford, Maliyah LaCour, Dwayne LaCour and Deven LaCour; brother, Maverick Sharks, Sr.; sisters, Gina (Clint) Sharks-Cadle, Denise Sharks, and Zondress T. Sharks; and ex-wife Betty Jean Sharks of Marianna, Arkansas.
Master Sergeant Leon Sharks enlisted in the United States Air Force in August, 1981. He completed Basic Training and 2W1X1 Aircraft Armament Systems technical training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Following technical training, he was assigned to Luke AFB, Arizona. In November 1985, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. While serving as Squadron Load Crew Member and Lead Crew Chief for the 550th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Sergeant Sharks received the 12th Air Force Outstanding Munitions Maintenance Technician of the Year Award for 1985. In December 1992, he served his remote tour at Kunsan AB, Korea until December 1993. There he led his weapons load crew to win the 8th Fighter Wing's Load Crew of the Month for June 1993 and 8th Fighter Wing Load Crew of the Quarter for July 1993. He then returned to Luke Air Force Base in December 1993. In August 1995 he was promoted to Technical Sergeant and then to Master Sergeant in August 2001. During this time he also achieved his F-16 Master Mechanic certification.
Leon enjoyed an active lifestyle playing tennis, running, bowling, fishing, hunting and most recently golf. He also enjoyed cooking, music and dancing. He met so many of his close friends doing these activities. He will be remembered by his friends for the dance-off competitions he always initiated with them! He will be missed so very much by all who knew him, especially by his beloved family.
Heroic Man
Though I am heartbroken
Your name is loudly spoken
You are engraved in my heart
So we will never part
Save a seat for me
You are now free
~Zondress~ (Sister)
Brother
I am going to really miss you.
We did not get to see each other
as much as I wanted to;
but when we did, we had a blast!
I will forever cherish the memories
of our conversations, and your crazy dancing,
and that beautiful person you always were.
I love you, your sister,
Gina Sharks-Cadle
A Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, Arizona. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Faith Christian Center, 2640 E. McDowell Rd., in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Patriot Guard Riders will escort the body of MSgt Sharks and his family from the church to the cemetery. The Committal Service will be at 1:00 PM, with the United States Air Force Honor Guard conducting the Honors Ceremony, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Rd., in Phoenix, Arizona.
To sign the guestbook online, and to share your memories, and send condolences and well-wishes to the family, please visit, www.surprisefuneralcare.com.
