Source: The Daily Nonpareil, published on 10 May 2006
Council Bluffs IA

Kenneth Leroy Leek, passed away May 3, 2006, in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Kenneth was born April 26, 1933, in Boone, Iowa. He grew up in Council
Bluffs during the depression where hs entered the United States Air Force
in 1950. He married his one and only sweetheart Shirley Susan Sweetman of
Detroit, Mich., on February 18, 1955. His service to the country in the
Air Force took them to Japan, Guam, Thailand, Vietnam, Germany, Michigan,
Hawaii, Georgia, Mississippi, South Dakota, and finally Oklahoma in 1976
where they would live and raise their three boys and eventually retire.

He had a very long and distinguished 30 year career in the United States
Air Force, achieving the highest enlisted rank possible, Chief Master
Sergeant. His nickname was "Thunderchief" because when he spoke the Air
Force listened. He earned many citations and medals. After retiring from
the Air Force he entered civil service, serving an additional 12 years
at Tinker Air Force Base before retiring for the last time in 1996.

His proudest achievement was not his long and distinguished service to
the country. It was the three boys he raised with his wife. Although each
unique, they were the same when it came to working hard and their love of
athletics. He enjoyed watching each participate in whatever they loved
to do, whether it was golf, bowling, softball, basketball, wrestling,
or football. It was a family of athletes and watching and playing with
his sons was a crowning achievement.

During the last few years of his life he remained active - playing
organized softball, bowling in two different leagues, and golfing. His
most cherished time though was that spent with his seven grandchildren.
He loved to have them visit where he could play in the yard, play games
with them, show them how to do things, or just simply watch a video with
them. These were the best times of his life.

His parents precede him in death.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Shirley Leek; their three
sons, Kevin and his wife Lisa, stationed in Turkey, David and his wife
Terri, of Evergreen, Colo., and Eric and his wife Paula, of Edmond,
Okla., seven wonderful grandchildren, Erica, Casey, Brandon, Jordan,
Alex, Parker, and Landon; brothers, Virgil Leek and Glenn Hanson; sisters,
Ruby Bates and Barbara Peterson, all of Council Bluffs; and his brother,
Garold Hanson of Las Vegas, Nev.

Kenneth passed away on Wednesday May 3, 2006, after a long battle with
Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease. He was able to say goodbye to his
entire family and tell them how much he loved them. A public viewing was
held at Eisenhour Funeral Home on May 5 and 6. Kenneth will be cremated
and then buried at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation to the 
American Lung Association in the memory of Kenneth L. Leek at their Web 
site lungusa.org.