Leonard S. Beckley-SMSGT-USAF-Retired and Hillsborough County Sheriff Office-Deputy Retired of Valrico, Florida funeral service is 3:00 PM, Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida with the United States Air Force Honor Guard and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209, officiating.
A native of Buckannan, West Virginia an local resident since 1991, when he moved here from Edwards Air Force Base, California; he was a retired dental superintendent with 28 years of service in the US Air Force. During his career, he was awarded the USAF Training Ribbon; Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices; USAF Commendation Medal; USAF Outstanding Unit Award; USAF Good Conduct Medal with 7 devices; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 devices; USAF Overseas Ribbon (Short); USAF Overseas Ribbon with 3 devices (Long); USAF Longevity Service Ribbon with 5 devices ; NCO PME Graduate Ribbon; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; USAF Senior NCO Academy Ribbon and the NCO Academy Ribbon. He retired from Edwards Air Force Base in California and before retirement he served overseas in Chamblay Air Force Base, France; Aviano and San Vito Air Force Base, Italy; Torrejon Air Force Base, Spain and stateside at McCord Air Force Base, Washington and Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, DC. Leonard meet his wife, Clara in Aviano, Italy and was a Tampa Bay “ Lighting Fan” for over 20 years.
Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Aola (Simmons) Beckley; a sister, Jean Vetra and a brother, Bill Beckley. He is survived by his wife, Clara of Valrico, Florida; his son, Robert Beckley and his wife, Debra of West Chase, Florida; daughters: Gloria Waters of Valrico, Florida, Sandra Miller and her husband, Chris of Highland, Illinois and Dinah Garcia of Tallahassee, Florida; three sisters; Patty Manes, Sue Willfong and Sandra Kinter and two grandchildren: Donald Murray Jr. and Monica Beckley.
The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to the fisher House; C/O James A. Haley VA Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33612 in the memory of SMSGT Leonard S. Beckley-USAF-Retired.
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We are very moved to read about the wonderful life of Leonard (Red), godfather to one of our grandsons. We remember the pleasure of meeting him at Amie and Bill’s wedding in 2005. God bless him and all your family. We are keeping you in our prayers.
To the Leonard (“Red”) Beckley family: Please accept my deepest condolences upon the passing of “Red”. I had the pleasure of working with “Red” as his supervisor for the Hillsborough County School Crossing Guard Program. I really admired his dedication to the program, students and parents. He ensured that students got home safely every school day.
May “Red” rest in peace!
We shall certainly miss “Red’s” smile and wit. We enjoyed all the time we spent visiting each other and talking about our motorhome travels and wish we had been able to be in Florida this past winter. Clara, we are thinking of you. I know you will miss him greatly.
The loss of one’s father marks the most profound rites of passage in our lives.
It is a pleasure to service a fellow United States Air Force retiree. Chief Platts
rest in peace. your in good hands now . love and miss you…
Lamento su pérdida.