Posted by Terry Powers on November 22, 2022:

Colonel Leon W. McCrary, USAF (Retired) Leon (Lee) W. McCrary, born November 10, 1923 to Emil and Emma McCrary in St. Clair, Mo., was called home to his creator on April 23, 2011. In pursuit of his lifelong dream to be a pilot, Lee accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he found the academic life and military discipline to be particularly rewarding. He was an active member of the Cadet Chapel Choir, the Cadet Glee Club and as a soloist with the Cadet Dance Orchestra. Upon graduation from West Point, Lee elected to join the Air Force which took him through many cities and many aircraft. His career included stops at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma, Kadena AB on Okinawa, Wichita, Kansas, Lincoln, Nebraska, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Louisville, Kentucky, Lexington, Virginia, and back to San Antonio where it all started. Lee was an exceptional instructor and throughout his career he trained others to fly aircraft such as the T-28, the Mitchell B-25, the Piper Cub, the Terrible Texan (T-6), the B-29, the B-47and the B-52. In 1960, the Air Force selected Lee to serve at the newly formed Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. During his five year tour at the Academy he planned and obtained approval for the Academy's Cadet Light Plane Flying program - a program still in use today. Following service at the USAFA, Lee's staff experience and B-52 background led him to Headquarters MACV in Vietnam where he was involved in managing the B-52 ARCLIGHT bombing missions in Southeast Asia. His final AF duty station was as the Base Commander at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. Lee married his long time love, Ruth Ann Davis of San Antonio in 1962 and together raised two daughters, Merry Ann and Margy. Initially living in San Antonio, upon his military retirement Lee obtained an MBA from St. Mary's University following which the family moved to Austin. In Austin, Lee joined a small appraisal firm where he pursued residential and commercial real estate appraisals. He soon gained professional appraisal designations, including the commercial designation of MAI, as a member of the Appraisal Institute. Lee became Vice-President of NCNB bank and then in 2005, he formed a new appraisal firm with his daughter. Lee was a 30-year member of Austin's downtown Rotary Club, a season ticket holder for the Austin Symphony Orchestra and an enthusiastic supporter of Texas Longhorn football and basketball. As season ticket holders, they supported the University of Texas sports programs by joining the University Longhorn Foundation. Lee was also a member of the Austin Country Club and Westwood Country Club. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and brother, George Emil McCrary. He is survived by his dear wife, Ruth Ann D. McCrary, his two daughters, Merry Ann Southwell and Margy Buller, son-in-law Jim Southwell and grandchildren, Kimberlee Ann Southwell and James Richard Southwell. Other surviving relatives include his brother's wife, Adelle McCrary, his nephew and family: Rev. Ronald Lee & Ann McCrary, their son, Jeffrey B. & Melissa McCrary and their son, Houston; his niece and family: Karon & Jeff Webb, and their daughter, Morgan. A private internment will be held at Austin Memorial Park on April 28, 2011. Memorial contributions can be made to the , First United Methodist Church or the charity/organization of your choice.

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