Ronald Hugh Leckie

Ronald Leckie was born April 1, 1935 to Howard L. Leckie and Josephine C. Leckie. He died at the Orchard's Memory Care after a long battle with dementia. His wife and sister were present.

Ronald was born in Hughes Springs Texas where his father was a minister. Ronald's father died when he was six years old and the family moved to Oklahoma to be near family. After graduating from Classen High in Oklahoma City Ron enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. He served on an aircraft carrier, the USS Coral Sea as a radar technician. When he left active duty he joined his family who had moved to Modesto, California. In September 1957 Ronald attended Modesto Junior College where he met his wife of 63 years. They were married June 21, 1957. Ronald always said this was so he would never forget the date because it was the longest day of the year. In 1960 Ron transferred to U.C. Berkeley where he got a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

After graduating he went to work for Litton Engineering Company in Southern California and in November the couple adopted their son, Larry Leckie. Two years later Ron went to work at Hughes Aircraft Company in Fullerton California where he retired after 27 years. His first assignment was El Paso Texas where the couple adopted their daughter Dee Dee Leckie. Ron had many assignments including 2 1/2 years in Belgium where he trained NATO personnel as well as a six month assignment in Israel.

Ron had a passion for sailing and loved taking his family to Catalina. After a hip replacement which made sailing difficult, Ron took up RV traveling and made a 6000 mile RV trip across the United States. Ron loved to see the world and so the couple traveled to over 40 countries and over 40 states. In 2001, after retiring, the couple moved to Maui to join their son and family. In Maui he developed a love of golf and especially enjoyed playing with his son. After 8 years in Maui the couple returned to Southern California and his son and family moved to Utah. Ron loved visiting his grandchildren in Indiana and Utah.

While in Maui, Ron was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment and concerned about losing his memory, he worked on creating a story of his life for his children. It went from childhood to retirement and being the history buff he was, he always included the history of the times he was writing about. His story was 17 volumes when he finished. During the last year of his life, his favorite day was Thursday's when he met with a large group of friends at the American Legion in Newport Beach.

Ron is survived by his wife Dae Leckie, his sister Sharon Vestal, his children Larry Leckie, and Dee Dee Maack. Six grandchildren, four great grandsons, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please see the charities below for donations.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Leckie family.