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Submitted: 12/11/21 • Approved: 12/11/21 • Last Updated: 12/14/21 • R1405818-G0-S3
MAJOR US Air Force
Vietnam
July 12, 1940 - August 31, 2018
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 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, the 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 Arakellian.
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 and his wife Sunday Leding 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 Arakellian and her husband Rich of Morris Township, New Jersey; and 12 grandchildren and 8 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 Arakellian and Johnathan Welk.
Contributed on 12/11/21 by billsully060
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Record #: 1405818