ABSOLUTE
The chill of winter is still present
as the seasons are crying for a change,
Each passing moment….
the loss seems so strange.
Every conscious hour of this
….my new life
Brings forth pleasant memories of you
…my heart
…my soul
Are with you…no matter where I am, or, what I do.
Philip V. Lelle Jr. passed away on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, at the age of 75. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on February 24th, 1936.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Marcia. Phil is survived by his brothers Ted, Bob, Fred, a sister Arlene; his sons Robert and Richard, and his grandchildren Joshua and Jeni.
In 1955, Phil made a life changing decision. While on a lunch break from his job, he enlisted in the Air Force. Just prior to enlisting, he met the love of his life, Marcia. Phil met his true love at Grand Central Station in New York in 1954, ‘under the clock’. It was a blind date, and it turned out to be a budding romance that will go on for eternity. Thank You, God!
His military career took him across the globe. He climbed Mount Fuji in Japan while stationed at Tachikawa Air Base near Tokyo, and then transferred to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene where his son Robert was born. He and family of three went on to Madrid, Spain, where his second son Richard, was born. He and family were stationed in Hampton, New Hampshire, Fort Totten in Bayside, New York, back to Hampton, then to K.I. Sawyer A.F.B. in Michigan. When Phil retired, he was stationed at Randolph A.F.B. in San Antonio, Texas.
While in the Air Force, Phil did tours of duty in Guam for six months, and South Korea for a year. He saw many places, many things, and met many people, including a family in Korea that he befriended. At the end of a very fulfilling 23 year Air Force career, Phil's one true love, Marcia, passed away on February 2nd, 1978.
After he retired from the Air Force, he worked for Sterling Downey Sales of San Antonio as an Accounts Manager. Phil officially retired in his 60’s as he just wanted to kick back and start to enjoy life! After a while, he became a traveler again. He moved to New York twice to start a new life, only it didn’t quite feel like home. He once moved on to Washington State to try something new, but that didn’t feel quite right either. Something kept pulling him back to San Antonio.. Marcia.
He spent the last few years in the Converse and Schertz area. He was at ease being close to the air base where he did all his shopping. For the last few years, he was actively involved in volunteer work at hospitals, where he enjoyed reading stories to children who were cancer victims. For Mother’s Day, he also painted flowers on individual canvases as gifts, for the ladies at the Autumn Winds Nursing Home in Schertz. He also gave Father’s Day goodie bags to the men at the nursing home.
Phil made many friends wherever he lived. He enjoyed spending time with his former neighbors in Schertz. His last residence was at the Shadow Creek apartment complex, where he thrived and contributed to the warm atmosphere and ‘culture’ of that complex.
Phil will always be remembered for his keen sense of humor. He sent jokes and humorous stories to everyone on a regular basis. To enhance his hobby of writing, he took many writing classes at local colleges over the years. The pursuit of his hobby leaves behind an unfinished tome called Odyssey To Earth.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation in celebration of Phil's life at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home at 1701 Austin, Hwy, San Antonio, Tx, 6:00 p.m., Thursday, February 23rd. A short memorial service will follow at 7.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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