SSS member Leo Joseph Canavan, Jr. headed West on November 19, 2016 at the age of 81. Leo is survived by his loving wife, Logan Iin Canavan, his daughters, Susan Ellis and husband Velton Ellis, Shae McKean, Sissy Letchman and husband Chuck Letchman, and Jennifer Stephens and husband Joe Stephens. After having five girls, he was finally blessed with his only son, Curtis Ryan Canavan. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Leo was born on September 2, 1935 in Elk City, Oklahoma. After high school, he joined the Air Force where he flew with the 523rd, the 175th, and the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadrons and the 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. A fighter pilot at heart, Leo was adventurous and was always looking for excitement. He went on to become an airline pilot, living in such places as Turkey, Germany, and Indonesia. He was also a reserve police officer for the Grand Prairie Police Department and the Dallas County Constable’s Office, Precinct 6.
After smoking for over 65 years, Leo was diagnosed with lung cancer, although he would still argue that one had nothing to do with the other. He was a man with character like no other. He could always put a smile on some unsuspecting nurse’s face. When asked “How are you?”, his standard response was: “Better than most, the girls say.” If given the choice, Leo surely would have chosen to go out in a blaze of glory, flying an F-4, instead of peacefully passing away in a hospital bed. But, we all know that he was too good of a pilot for that to have ever happened.
Leo was known for his strong and distinctive voice. Whether you were hearing him over the airplane radio, the police radio or the telephone, you could always tell who was on the other end of the line. H
SSS member Leo Joseph Canavan, Jr. headed West on November 19, 2016 at the age of 81. Leo is survived by his loving wife, Logan Iin Canavan, his daughters, Susan Ellis and husband Velton Ellis, Shae McKean, Sissy Letchman and husband Chuck Letchman, and Jennifer Stephens and husband Joe Stephens. After having five girls, he was finally blessed with his only son, Curtis Ryan Canavan. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Leo was born on September 2, 1935 in Elk City, Oklahoma. After high school, he joined the Air Force where he flew with the 523rd, the 175th, and the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadrons and the 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. A fighter pilot at heart, Leo was adventurous and was always looking for excitement. He went on to become an airline pilot, living in such places as Turkey, Germany, and Indonesia. He was also a reserve police officer for the Grand Prairie Police Department and the Dallas County Constable’s Office, Precinct 6.
After smoking for over 65 years, Leo was diagnosed with lung cancer, although he would still argue that one had nothing to do with the other. He was a man with character like no other. He could always put a smile on some unsuspecting nurse’s face. When asked “How are you?”, his standard response was: “Better than most, the girls say.” If given the choice, Leo surely would have chosen to go out in a blaze of glory, flying an F-4, instead of peacefully passing away in a hospital bed. But, we all know that he was too good of a pilot for that to have ever happened.
Leo was known for his strong and distinctive voice. Whether you were hearing him over the airplane radio, the police radio or the telephone, you could always tell who was on the other end of the line. His family and friends were so blessed to have a husband, father, grandfather and friend like Leo and they will all miss him dearly.
A graveside service was held on November 29, 2016, at the Houston National Cemetery.