Leo Floyd Slief

Leo Floyd Slief passed from this life into eternal life on January 27, 2023 at the age of 98 years.He was born in Oklahoma City, OK on October 6, 1924 to Floyd Leo Slief and Mary Josephine Rohkar Slief as the eldest of five children.He was a loving, faith-filled generous husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who loved spending time with his family and friends, and enjoyed family vacation trips, family reunions and living life to the fullest. He grew up in Oklahoma City, earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1939 and graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School in May 1942.He was a World War II veteran, one of the last of the Greatest Generation (a young man of 19 years old when he was eagerly deployed into the War).His university studies were interrupted when he enlisted in the Naval Air Corp as an aviation cadet on December 12, 1942 at the request of the Atchison Kansas Naval recruiting station and ground training and athletics began at the University of Texas in Austin. Training continued at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond with aircraft flight training at Wiley Post airport. He was then transferred to University of Tennessee at Martin to fly Stearman biplanes. Shortly after arriving, the cadet program was terminated and all students were transferred to regular navy assignments. Great Lakes naval station in North Chicago was the next assignment for basic boot camp. Then a smoke filled cross country train trip to San Francisco for training at Treasure Island. He boarded a ship to the Philippines and given a clean up assignment in Manila then Luzon. Warnings of enemy raiding parties and snipers in the trees where confirmed when one of their company during a formation was killed. His service was completed in the Philippine Islands on April 1946.Upon his return to the US his degree in mathematics and physics was completed at St Benedicts College in May 1949 in Atchison Kansas. He worked for Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI) for many years as their retirement plan administrator and retired in 1984. During his time with AMPI he served as President and International Director of the Data Processing Management Association.His community service accomplishments included being a charter member of Canyon Creek Country Club and serving as a member of the Board of Directors and President of the club in 1974. When the club was sold and emerged as Sonterra Country Club, he served as President of Club's Liquidating Trust.He served as "Grand Knight" of the Oklahoma Knights of Columbus Council #1038, and also was an "Honorary Life Member" of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Council 786 as well as the 4th Degree General Assembly #2102. In San Antonio, he was a long time member of the Rotary Club, Founder Lions Club, Central Park Lions Club, and served as an Associate for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.Leo was a selfless, generous, humble man who touched so many lives. He was a devout catholic, deeply committed to his faith and an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church where he was a charter member and served on the Parish Council, Eucharistic Ministry, Lector Ministry, Sick Visitation Committee, Family Center Specials Gifts Program, Long Range Planning and Building Committee Member as well as the Marriage Encounter Ministry.As a veteran, he was honored to be a part of the 2013 Alamo Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. He also participated in the Ageless Aviation Dream Flight and enjoyed having the opportunity to be in the open cockpit once again and briefly co-pilot a Boeing Stearman biplane.He was preceded in death by his parents Floyd Leo Slief and Mary Josephine Slief, his wonderful and loving wife, Jeanne Ann Schooling Slief, sons Peter Slief, Andrew Slief, Michael Slief and Steve Slief as well as daughter Mary Elizabeth Slief and grandson Peter Slief. In addition, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Irene E. Kiolbassa, sisters Bertha Fallaschek and Marilyn Morales.He is survived by sons Gregory Slief (wife Kathie) of Tulsa, OK, Ed of Oklahoma City, OK and daughters Diane Neel-Hammond (husband Peter) of Dallas, TX and Joanne Castaneda (husband Carlos) of San Antonio, TX; sisters, Joan Herndon of Oklahoma City, OK and Carol Dowling Lee (husband Willey) of Escondido, CA, in addition to 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, golfing and dancing friends.Live your life in a manner that when your ticket is punched you have no worry or concern about where your eternal life will be."I not only know who I am. I also know where I'm going." May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door. "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."…Billy Graham