Walter Leon Kenshalo

Leon was born in Rusk, TX to Lucy Lee Cloyd Kenshalo and Walter Lee Kenshalo on January 11, 1926. He had one brother, James Travis Kenshalo (Deceased). Leon graduated from West High School in June of 1943. Leon volunteered to serve in the Army Air Corps in October of 1943. He served for two years as an Aviation Cadet in training for the position of Flight Engineer on the B-29 Bomber at Kent State University. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945. Leon met Norma Fisher at West High School. She caught his eye when she performed as part of the singing Christmas tree. While on leave from Army Air Corps in the spring of 1944, he went to Norma’s school in his Army uniform and posed as an authority figure to get her excused from classes!

Leon married Norma Louise Fisher on June 6, 1945 in Monroe, Louisiana where he was stationed. Leon graduated from Denver University with a Business Degree. Leon was employed at the following companies during his career: Firestone Tire, Kelly Springfield Tire, McKesson Robins Paint Division, Martin Marietta Paint Division, and Kyanize Paint Company. He retired in 1982.

Leon and Norma had three children, eleven grand children and eleven great grand children.

Lee: Renee (Deceased), Susan (Nick Nickerson), Matthew (Tonya Kenshalo) and Brian (Kayla Kenshalo)

(Wife: Barbara Kenshalo)

Richard: Sarah (Norm Rousey), Rachel (Brandon Barnes), Leon, Mary (Adam Norton) and Nick (Danelle Kenshalo) (Partner: Deborah Fields)

Lynn (Deceased): Justin (Barry Brown) and Maureen (Mike Mavelle)

Great Grandchildren are listed in order of age:

Madison Kenshalo, Ava Vaagen, McKayla Kenshalo, Aleena Jones, Ilsa Barnes, Brody Kenshalo, Dylan Norton, Reed Rousey, James Kenshalo, Charli Norton, and Parker Kenshalo.

Leon enjoyed financial information and especially trading his stocks. He was always interested in new technology as it emerged and enjoyed computers, televisions and electronics. He loved his home and was always very proud of it. He enjoyed projects to update it and loved working in his yard trimming trees and on landscaping projects. He was very proud that you could enjoy the view of Pikes Peak from his back yard. Leon’s hobbies included travelling, collecting clocks pictures and Jeeping on the trails in Ouray, Colorado. He loved to play a good joke on anyone in his family. He once told his grandson Brody that he was “wormy” because he couldn’t sit still and always had a “Love ya kid” for his grandchildren.

Rest in peace Leon, you were loved and will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight,

1201 Williams Street, Unit 18

Denver, CO 80218