Leonard "Pat" Coles Langdon Jr.

Leonard “Pat” Coles Langdon Jr., 87, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away at home with his family by his side on August 26, 2012. Pat was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 3, 1925 to Leonard Coles Langdon Sr. and Lillian Ann Weatherdon Langdon.

The family moved to Arizona in 1929. Pat graduated from Nogales High School in 1942 and was drafted into the Army during his first year at the University of Arizona. During WWII, Pat served in the 69th and fought in the European Theatre from 1943-1946 - first as infantry, then as a Sgt. in the Tank Corp, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After WWII, he returned to the University of Arizona and was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He completed his degree in political science and was a distinguished Military Graduate. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1949 and attended Air Tactical School.

Pat attended George Washington University and received a Master’s Degree in Military Economics in 1955. He earned a second Master’s Degree in International Relations in 1967. He attended Command and Staff College in 1960, Air War College in 1967 and Naval Post Graduate School (Operations Analysis) in 1969. He retired as a Colonel after serving in the United States Air Force from 1949-1976 in the areas of Intelligence, Military Planning and Operations.

At the time of his retirement in 1976, Pat was serving as Deputy Chief for Education of Air University Command. Among his military career medals, he was awarded a Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and an Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

He retired to Mesa, and was most proud with his volunteer work with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. He served as a Mesa City Councilman. He was on the economic development advisory board and he served as chairman of the Museum Advisory board for the Mesa Southwest Museum (now known as the Arizona Museum of Natural History).

While at the University of Arizona, he met his future bride, Elizabeth Greenleaf Eliot. They were married on June 10, 1950 and had had four sons. Pat is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth; 3 sons and their spouses, Leonard and Joan Langdon, Rush and Carol Langdon, and William and Nancy Langdon; 4 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his son, Michael Langdon.

Services for Pat will be private. He will be interned at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 6747 East Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206. Arrangement entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 400 South Power Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206, (480) 830-4422. Please leave a tribute to Pat on the family's website at www.MariposaGardens.com. The family would appreciate if donations were made in Leonard C. Langdon Jr. name, to The Air Force Enlisted Village http://www.afev.us/