Leroy was born May 4, 1931, in Troy, Alabama. Leroy grew up on a farm and always dreamed of “flying one of the jets” that flew overhead while working the field. Upon high school graduation, he pursued his dream and enlisted in the United States Air Force in June,1949 at the age of 18. He served as Staff Sergeant with the 6147th TH Tactical Control Squadron ( Aka The Mosquito Squadron). He served in combat during the Korean War.
After serving in Korea, he was transferred to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. This is where he met the love of his life, Annie Ruth. They married June 10, 1955. They soon moved to Oklahoma where Leroy was hired by American Airlines. Their first daughter Jeanine was born in Oklahoma. A couple years later they were transferred to Illinois where their other two daughters, Cynthia and Kim were born. He served faithfully in his church while in Illinois. In 1967 they were transferred to Texas. Their dream was to raise their family in the south and Texas was once again home. During his years with American Airlines, he was in the cockpit as flight engineer, was an instructor at the American Airlines training center and then worked in operations as a senior supervisor flight engineer at DFW airport. He was proud of working with American Airlines and various city fire departments with training in the event of an emergency landing. He had the privilege of flying the charter for the Dallas Cowboys during Tom Landry/Roger Staubach years which were some of his fondest memories at American Airlines. In 1973 he was involved in the training of the first female commercial airline pilot. With three daughters at home, he was determined that she receive fair treatment during her training and testing. He always spoke fondly of these memories while at American Airlines and cherished his lifetime relationships with all his friends from work. He worked for American Airlines from 1956 through 1993.
Being the entrepreneur at heart, Leroy entered into various ventures such as part ownership of RV sales and rentals, quick oil change business, and always some type of farms raising crops and livestock.
As a devoted Christian and with a servant’s heart, Leroy served as deacon, Sunday school director, and office manager at Woodland Heights Baptist Church. He was instrumental in the formative years of WHBC by seeking out and negotiating the land purchase that the church now sits on. During construction he served alongside The Texas Baptist Men with the project management of the church.
Leroy became involved in the growth of the City of Bedford and served on many city committees before serving on the Bedford City Council from April 1974 through April 1986.
Leroy is preceded in death by his father, W.C. Leddon, mother, Willie Kate Thomas, brothers, William and Randall Leddon. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Leddon, daughters, Jeanine (Rick) Roof of Plano Texas, Cynthia (Albert) Alvarez of Arlington, Texas, and Kim Skiles of Arlington, Texas. Grandchildren: Tyler (Kasey) Roof, Jarrod Roof, Andrew (Kelsie) Alvarez, James (Hannah) Alvarez, Audrianna Skiles, and Ethan Skiles. Great grandchildren: Hadley, Leyton, and Kayden Roof. Leroy is also survived by his sisters Cynthia Johnson and Sandra Stokes.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial gathering will take place on Monday, December 12, 2022 from 5pm-7pm at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, located at 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, Texas 76034.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 10am, at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, located at 3712 Central Dr, Bedford, Texas 76021. Burial will follow immediately in the Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Leddon family.
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