Leslie C. Conwell

Les was born and raised in Allerton, IA and then graduated from Syracuse University before joining the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot, flying T-28, T33, F-86D F-102, F106, F-4 fighters and the Beechcraft King Air. Included in his many honors are two meritorious service medals, an Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross after flying 190 combat missions over Vietnam. The many duty stations included Goose Bay, Labrador; Seymour Johnson AFB, NC; McGuire AFB, NJ; Wiesbaden, Germany; MacDill AFB, FL; the Pentagon in Arlington, VA; Air Attache with the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador; and finally, Defense Attache with the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina before retiring after 30 years of distinguished service as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

After retiring, Les and wife Margie moved to Lutz, FL where he began the 7-year build of his first airplane from scratch, an aluminum Thorp T-18. As that plane neared completion, the couple moved into the Hidden Lake Airport community in New Port Richey, where their home had an adjoining hangar for what would become 2 handbuilt airplanes. While flying the more acrobatic and maneuverable Thorp T-18, Les started the 8-year build on his GP-4, constructed of wood and with a cruising speed of 240 knots, about twice that of the Thorp. The couple would end up flying both planes cross country to San Diego and Seattle several times, with Margie having completed ground school and acting as navigator. Les also was a member of Chapter 791 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and for many years donated his time flying kids in the Young Eagles Free First Flights program. Les and Margie were also very active in their church, Hudson First United Methodist Church and volunteered for many years in the church’s Food Pantry program.

Les is predeceased by his youngest son Douglas, and is survived by wife of 63 years Marjorie Roberston Conwell, oldest son Leslie Craig Conwell, Jr. of San Diego, CA; middle son Jeffrey Michael Conwell and his wife Deborah Taylor Conwell of Greenville, SC; oldest grandson Kyle Michael Conwell of Slidell, LA and youngest grandson Taylor Jude Conwell of Sumter, SC stationed at Shaw AFB. He also leaves behind two sisters, Marlys and Marilyn, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

A Visitation for Leslie will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 2:00 pm. at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610. A Committal Service with military honors will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, Tampa, FL 33610.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Les Conwell to:

Breast Cancer Research Foundation at https://give.bcrf.org/give/302920/?_ga=2.59746155.776443308.1672085694-1836100742.1672085694#!/donation/checkout

or

Feeding America at https://give.feedingamerica.org/a/donate-in-honor?_ga=2.134118862.1132876563.1672084892-373516208.1672084892