George Firmin Leonard

George was born on February 21, 1933 at Rock Island Arsenal, Iowa to Mary Leonard (nee Warlop) and George Leonard. George’s father was in the U.S. Army and young George was inspired by the military life as he moved around the world with his parents. At two years old George had his own uniform and marched behind the troops in parade formations at Fort Davis in the Panama Canal Zone. At four years old, George made national news when he was commissioned as an honorary sergeant of the military police at Fort Snelling with the particular duty of guarding the base commander’s parking spot, for which he earned a penny a day. As he grew up, George was a good student and enjoyed success in science and on the debate team. He was also active in sports, participating in baseball, basketball, boxing, track, and cross country.

As a young man, George started college at Loyola University and then received a commission to the United States Military Academy at West Point from which he graduated in 1956 with a BS in Military Engineering. George’s West Point years had a profound impact on him and his character was fundamentally shaped by his experiences there. George lived his entire life by the standards he learned at West Point and frequently shared anecdotes from his years at the school. As an adult, George continued to pursue his education and went on to earn an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Farleigh-Dickinson University.

Upon graduation from West Point, George joined the United States Air Force as a navigator for the 7th Troop Carrier Squadron and served in both Korea and Vietnam. George then moved on to Air Force Satellite Control, then the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and finally the USAF Communications Service. George’s Air Force career spanned twenty-one years of active duty service and he retired from the USAF in 1977 having reached the rank of Lt. Colonel. Upon retirement from the Air Force, George worked in the private sector in systems management at Unisys and then GTE Government Systems.

The only thing more important to George than his military service was his family. George was deeply devoted to his wife Phyllis (nee Phillips). His love and commitment to her were unwavering throughout their 52 years of marriage (June 12, 1964). Together they adopted and raised their beloved children, Mary-Ann & John. George is survived by his daughter, Mary-Ann L. Feller and son-in-law Mitchell S. Feller of Cortlandt Manor, NY and his grandchildren Elizabeth F. Feller and David H. Feller. George was predeceased by his wife Phyllis in 2016 and by his son John I. Leonard in 2005.

George requested that he be remembered in life and that there be no service at his passing. Donations in George’s memory may be made to the Long Gray Line Fund at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

From the West Point Alma Mater:

And when our work is done, our course on earth is run,

May it be said, "Well done. Be thou at peace."

E'er may that line of gray increase from day to day.

Live, serve, and die, we pray, West Point, for thee.

Well done, George. Be thou at peace.