Lt. Col. Leonard Porter (Retired)

Leonard V. Porter, Jr. LT Colonel, USAF (Ret), age 96, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on March 23, 2018. Leonard was a native of Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Leonard V. and Frona Porter. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1939, and married Martha Kilcrease in December 1941. Leonard enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. As a pilot, he flew 40 combat missions in a B-24 known as “Ruff Knights” from Saipan and Guam in the South Pacific, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven Air Medals for specific actions against the enemy. After the war, he remained in the Air Force.  During that time, he was promoted to Chief Pilot and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After 22 years of service, he retired and began a second career as a contract captain for TWA. He was assigned to Saudi Arabian Airlines headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and later worked for TWA in their Training Center in Kansas City as an instructor.  He retired after 16 years, and spent his time enjoying outdoor sports and activities with friends.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoying hunting, fishing, and golfing.  He also played Table Tennis, and was a Gold Medalist the 2002 Senior Olympics.

He authored two books about his time as a pilot, one about his experience in WWII, and one about his experiences in Saudi Arabia.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha K. Porter.  He is survived by his son, David (Rita) Porter, granddaughter Stacy (Matt) Latessa, grandson David, Jr. (Laura) and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM on Thursday, April 5, 2018 followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park. Graveside service to follow at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Honor Flight, Inc. (www.heartlandhonorflight.org) or Patriot Features (www.patriotfeatures.org).