Leonard Alan Stowell

Leonard Alan Stowell, affectionately known by his fellow firefighters as "Lightning Lenny" for his legendary leisurely pace and unshakeable calm, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the age of 80.

Born on May 21, 1945, in Troy, NY, Leonard lived a life defined by steady service and a quiet, tireless work ethic. After serving honorably in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968, he dedicated 35 years to protecting the Las Vegas valley as a Clark County Firefighter from 1968 to 2003. From the busy bays of Station 18 downtown, Station 22 off Flamingo, and Station 11 at the end of the Strip, to his final years at the Airport Fire Station, Leonard was a pillar of the department—always moving at his own speed, but always there when his community needed him most.

Leonard was the ultimate provider and a true "Jack of all trades." In addition to his fire service, he worked part-time for nearly 15 years at Hughes Aviation. There, he was a familiar face on the tarmac, leading incoming small planes to parking, tying them down, and shuttling pilots and passengers to the terminal. Whether he was hauling freight to California, running a lawn business for local realtors, or helping a friend with agricultural spraying, he never stopped working for those he loved.

Beyond his work, Leonard was a man of mischievous wit and mysterious timing. Whether the family was at the mall or the beach, Leonard would inevitably vanish, only to reappear moments later with a Starbucks cup in hand as if he hadn't skipped a beat. His humor was just as sharp; he was the kind of man who might wander through a restaurant’s kitchen doors just to give the family a "status report" on the cleanliness and the staff before sitting down to dinner.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dian; his daughter, Tracy Fusch and her husband Chris; grandchildren Andrew (Brandi), Jessica (fiancé Chance), and Kelsey (Adam); and great-grandchildren Tegan, Devyn, Jayden, and Eli; his son, Derick Stowell and his wife Joyce; and grandsons Mat (Kate), Justin (Rachel), Sean, Cory (Hannah); his son, Joe Stowell and his wife Darleen; grandchildren Curran (Dawn), Kylene (Rashawn), and Chloe; and great-grandchildren Rhett, Henley, and Worthy.

Leonard was preceded in death by his beloved grandchild, Brandon Fusch and great-grandchild Frances Buttercup.

A celebration of life with military and fire department honors will be held on May 31st at 10:00 AM at Palm Mortuary, 1600 S Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Leonard's memory. In honor of "Lightning Lenny," the family also suggests that you take a moment to enjoy a slow cup of coffee and a laugh about a man who lived life at exactly the right speed.