John L. (Jack) Leding

Major John “Jack” Latchem Leding, Sr. (U.S. Air Force Retired) of Fort Smith, Arkansas died August 31, 2018 in Fort Smith. He was born in Alton, Illinois on July 12, 1940 to Edward A. Sr. and Josephine M. Keller-Leding, even though he considered Fort Smith his lifelong home. Jack was in the first class to graduate from Christ the King School, then later attended Subiaco Academy from 1954 to 1956, and later graduated from Saint Anne’s Academy in Fort Smith in 1958.

After graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After college, he joined the Air Force as an officer (2nd Lieutenant) through the aviation cadet program January 27, 1960, receiving pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in May 1967. Following training, he served in Vietnam from September 1967 till September 1968; was later an instructor pilot at Keisler Air Force Base, Mississippi, 1966 to 1972; served on B-52’s during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Jack went from Active Duty Air Force to Air Force Reserve in Fort Smith with the Arkansas Air National Guard, 188th Tactical Fighter Wing, from 1972 to 1980 where he flew RF-101, F-100 and F4C. Jack was a private business owner for 20 years; served on Christ the King School Board; was Boy Scout Leader; Chairman of Catholic Endowment Fund “CEEF” in 2000; was a life-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church; enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, gardening and yoga; was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward A. Sr. and Josephine Leding; a son, John Latchem Leding, Jr.; a sister, Patsy Jo Browning; a brother, Edward A. Leding, Jr.; as well as a grandson, Joshua Arakelian.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jane Mary Leding; two sisters, Mary Jane Thornton of Altus, Arkansas and Diana Tullis and her husband Eddie of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sons, Gregory Keller Leding and his wife Sunday of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Robert Welk of Sweden; three daughters, Beverly Mason and her husband Kevin of Russellville, Arkansas, Christine Welk-Leding of San Antonio, Texas; Allison Arakelian and her husband Rich of Morris Township, New Jersey; and twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, Friday September 7, 2018 at 5:00pm followed by Rosary at 6:00pm. Funeral Mass will be at Christ the King Catholic Church Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 10:00am. Burial will follow, with U.S. Air Force Honors at St. Joseph Cemetery in Paris, Arkansas. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Eddie Tullis, Mark Davies, Ed Leding, III, Kevin Mason, Richard Arakelian and Johnathan Welk.

In lieu of flowers, donations can sent to Christ the King Catholic Church, Subiaco Abby or the Saint Scholastic Monastery or the charity of your choice.