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View a eulogy for John Kanelos Leventis, USMA '55, who passed away on September 21, 2011.

John Kanelos Leventis

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Howard Stone on October 6, 2011:


I attended the John Leventis funeral Mass today which was held in the St. Madeleine Sophie Catholic Church in Bellevue, WA --where John and his wife, Luanne were faithful and long time members. Probably there were some 200 in attendance. The theme was faith in God and patriotism in America, both of which were strongly in evidence in the life that John lived and the example he set. Congregation lusty singing of the hymn "How Great Thou Art" (my favorite) and "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly" were poignant moments.

The Leventis family is large and spans from our age down to toddlers. They were all there and turned out in their finest. Two of the granddaughters gave excellent Bible readings. Clearly, John was much respected and admired by his extended family.

As most of you know John was a fighter pilot and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for combat actions in RVN. His death was unexpected and sudden. Apparently in good health for his age (79) Luanne told me that on 21 SEP John and she enjoyed a nice day, and I think dinner locally, went to bed and John died in his sleep without a sound. Of course she was shocked but is grateful that if John's time had come he avoided extended pain/disability.

After the service all the attendees were treated to a seated lunch at the church.

John K Leventis, Jr and I discussed what kind of memorial gift to John's memory the family might like. They will have a family huddle and then pass their decision on to Joann Shipley and our Class. Since the death was unexpected they have been in overdrive just to gather the clan--and plan the funeral. Burial will be at Tahoma Cemetery with only family members present.

GRIP HANDS,
Howie
28 September 2011

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